Gio Gonzalez Signs With Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox added some pitching depth and experience as they have signed free agent southpaw Gio Gonzalez to a contract, terms undisclosed. Gonzalez will likely be a backend of the rotation starter that brings stability and eats up innings. It’s not a sexy signing for the Pale Hose. This is a quality pickup and a significant upgrade from what the Sox got in 2019 from their rotation.
Gonzalez played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019 going 3-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 19 appearances, 17 of which were starts, in 87.1 innings pitched. Gonzalez didn’t make his season debut until April 28, but had an excellent 78/37 K/BB ratio. This move reunites him with his former Brewers teammate Yasmani Grandal, who will get a chance to catch Gonzalez.
Third Time The Charm?
This will actually be the third time Gonzalez is in the White Sox organization. He was a part of three trades earlier this century. The Pale Hose had drafted him in the first round of the 2004 draft but was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome in 2006. The second trade was in 2007 when he was traded back to the Sox from the Phillies, along with Gavin Floyd, for Freddy Garcia. The third and final trade was in 2008 when the team sent him to the Oakland Athletics for Nick Swisher.
Gonzalez’ MLB Career
Gonzalez made his MLB debut in 2008. In 2010 he broke out for the Athletics as he went 15-9 with a 3.23 ERA. In 2011, Gonzalez made his first All-Star Game appearance as he went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA. However, in 2012, Gonzalez was traded to the Washington Nationals as he had his best season to date going 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA, earning another All-Star selection and helped the Nationals to their first postseason appearance. Gonzalez also finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2012, though he was arguably deserving of winning that honor.
Gonzalez pitched for Washington for seven seasons winning 86 games and helped lead them to four postseason berths. In 2018, Gonzalez was traded by the Nationals to the Brewers and helped lead them to the playoffs that season. After signing a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and then opting out of it, he signed with the Brewers again in 2019.
White Sox Outlook
The 34-year old will be a solid veteran presence in a very young White Sox rotation that boasts Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Dylan Cease, and Michael Kopech. This is not likely to be the final starting pitching signing for the Pale Hose. But for a fifth starter, Gonzalez is a quality pickup. He is a significant upgrade from the fifth starter production the team got in 2019. But this is a low risk, high reward type of deal as he should eat up innings.
This is the first addition the White Sox have made to their starting rotation in this offseason. The White Sox could start the season with the staff they have now. However, there are indications the Sox may be looking for an even bigger upgrade. There were trade rumors floating around involving David Price from the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster trade. The White Sox are determined to be a contender in the 2020 season.
