The White Sox on Friday announced the signing of left-hander Gio Gonzalez to a one-year, $5 million deal with a club option for 2021.
Gonzalez, 34, will receive $4.5 million in 2020. The Sox’ option is for $7 million with a $500,000 buyout for the following season.
While not in the top tier of free agent pitchers, Gonzalez is the first significant, needed offseason addition to the Sox starting rotation. He becomes the first lefty joining a group of young righties Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Cease and will likely fall into the back end of the mix. Michael Kopech, coming back from Tommy John surgery in September of 2018, is expected to be throwing without restrictions at spring training and moving into the rotation sooner rather than later.
The deal was first reported Thursday.
“We view Gio as an important addition to our pitching staff,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “He brings an impressive resume to our club as a veteran left-hander who has enjoyed success and should have a positive impact on our younger pitchers in terms of competing, battling and helping us win games at the major league level.”
With Gonzalez in the fold, all eyes remain on Hahn and what move comes next as Christmas approaches. The Sox are expected to add another starter, but whether it’s a pricey choice for the top of the rotation or filler for depth at the bottom is the question of the hour. They have offered no strong indications they’re in the hunt for the top remaining free agent pitchers, lefties Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel.
An All-Star with the Athletics in 2011 and Nationals in 2012 who finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting in 2017 and owns a 3.68 career ERA, Gonzalez appears to be a sound investment with a one-year commitment. From 2010-2018, he averaged 31 starts, and among left-handers during that stretch Gonzalez ranked among major-league leaders in starts (second with 283), opponents average (fifth, .236) and innings (fifth, 1,681.1).
Originally drafted 38th overall by the Sox in 2004, Gonzalez was traded as a prospect to the Phillies on November 25, 2005 with Aaron Rowand and Daniel Haigwood for Hall of Famer Jim Thome The Sox got Gonzalez back from the Phillies on December 7, 2006 with Gavin Floyd in return for Freddy García. He then was traded to the Athletics on January 3, 2008 with Fautino De Los Santos and Ryan Sweeney for Nick Swisher. He made his major league debut in 2008.
The Sox 40-man roster increases to 39.
