Former Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez had to wait out a long winter, with no one ringing him up in free agency until March 19, when he signed with the Yankees on a minor-league contract.
One month later, 33-year-old Gonzalez is still getting his bearings after missing most of spring training. With a 6.00 ERA through three starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he wouldn't be an obvious rotation candidate for the Yankees right now. That's what puts him on the trajectory he's currently on.
A clause in his contract allows him to opt out if he's not on the Yankees roster by a certain date. That date arrives on the calendar Saturday. If Gonzalez opts out this weekend, the Yankees will have 48 hours to add him to their roster, otherwise he becomes a free agent. Speaking of agents, Gonzalez fired his, Scott Boras.
The #Yankees have until Saturday to call up veteran starter Gio Gonzalez, or he can trigger an out-clause in his contract. Meanwhile, he is beloved at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, buying sneakers for every teammate, an arcade game for clubhouse, and plenty of meals, per @BrendanKutyNJ
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 18, 2019Agent news: Gio Gonzalez has left Scott Boras and is now represented by CAA, per sources. Gonzalez must be added to the Yankees’ roster by Saturday or he can request his release.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 19, 2019With Domingo Germán and CC Sabathia fortifying the Yankees' rotation, there is increasing sense Gio Gonzalez plans on opting out of his deal tomorrow, sources tell ESPN. The Yankees would have 48 hours to add him to their roster, and if they don't, he'll become a free agent.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019According to a source, Gio Gonzalez plans to opt out of his deal with the Yankees on Saturday if he’s not added to the roster. The Yankees do not seemingly plan to add him, though that’s not a certainty. @JeffPassan reported earlier an “increasing sense” that he would opt out.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 19, 2019Just for argument's sake, it wouldn't be the craziest idea in the world for Gonzalez's old ball club in Washington to get him on the phone.
Nearly a month into the season, the Nats' 8.01 bullpen ERA is still the worst in Major League Baseball. Indeed, it's come down some, but still the worst. A Gio experiment sure sounds better than Tony Sipp right about now.
Gonzalez probably would have laughed at the idea of converting to a reliever six months ago, when he was starting in the postseason for Milwaukee. Many great starters have extended their careers by years doing the same. The Nationals had one a few years ago in Ollie Perez.
If the suitors don't come calling for Gonzalez the second time around in 2019, it might be time to give relief work consideration. He might not consider it for others, but what better way to get his career on track by reuniting with his former club, in a familiar environment where he's comfortable.
A year ago, Mike Rizzo convinced Mark Reynolds to take a minor-league deal versus sitting on the couch and waiting for someone to call. Two weeks later, he was back in the big leagues.
The conversation should be similar with Gonzalez. Take less money now to get on a big-league roster, wind up that arm and let those fastballs fly for one or two innings a night, and fight your way back into a starting gig. If he turns out to be great out of the pen, he just extended his career and made that starter money back in the long run.
A starter goes down and Gonzalez could be back in the Nats' rotation by summer. Sounds better than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.
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