Washington Nationals extend Gio Gonzalez’s contract – MLB News
The Washington Nationals have extended their newly acquired left-handed starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez’s contract for five year.
Former Oakland Athletics Gonzalez was recently traded to the Nationals where he was given a warm welcome and now received a five-year extension adding the 2016 season to his contract as well and team options for 2017, 2018.
The Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo said issuing a statement, “Gio’s ample talents are well-known and chronicled. Today’s extension was about comfort for both parties. From our end, the two options years and team control were imperative to the extended commitment. Now both Gio and our fans can shift their focus and excitement to his debut in D.C., knowing that their relationship won’t be ending in the short term contract.”
Later, the Nationals pitching Coach Steve McCatty also told a renowned newspaper. McCatty said, “It makes us a stronger rotation. I think we’re better now. I can’t sit here and say we have the best rotation in the NL East and I don’t have a lot of fear sending the guys out there.”
Looking at his past performances, Gonzalez is a good player having relatively decent experience in the Major and Minor League.
Coming in MLB in 2005 when the Chicago White Sox drafted him first, Gonzalez stayed in the Minor League for the next three years. Playing in the Philadelphia Phillies’ farm system, Gonzalez then considered one of the top prospects in the Phillies' Minor League teams.
Apparently, Gonzalez was pretty consistent with his performances but as soon as he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2008, he started to impress and showed potential to become a Major League player.
The Athletics also made him realise how talented he is and to perform in a big game makes a true ball player. From there on-wards, Gonzalez started his game in MLB and never looked back. He achieved tremendous career stats of 3.93 ERA along with 38-32 win-loss record, 511 strike-outs and 1.41 WHIP.
His last year’s performance also remained consistent at 3.12 ERA with 16-12 win-loss record, 197 strike-outs and 1.32 WHIP.
Tags: