[key2win]

Gonzalez agrees to 5-year contract with Nationals - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Gio Gonzalez agreed to a $42 million, five-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Sunday, just three weeks after the left-hander was acquired in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.

The deal includes options for two more years. It was the largest guaranteed contract for a pitcher eligible for arbitration for the first time.

The 26-year-old Gonzalez went 16-12 last season—a career high for wins— with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to his first All-Star game. He has reached 200 innings the past two seasons.

“Gio’s ample talents are well known and chronicled,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said through a team spokesman. “Today’s extension was about comfort for both parties. From our end, the two option 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 DC knowing that their relationship won’t be ending in the short term.”

Gonzalez was acquired in a six-player deal with Oakland on Dec. 23, giving the Nationals a promising rotation that also includes right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. After finishing last in the NL East in three consecutive seasons, Washington went 80-81 and wound up in third place in 2011.

Gonzalez, who made $420,000 last season, is 38-32 with a 3.93 ERA in 95 games over four seasons, all with Oakland.

[gladdyontherise]

Will safe the Nationals money overall as long as Gio puts up the numbers he did in Oakland.

[key2win]

Hey at least it wasnt Jayson Werth type of money. They can sign 3 Gio Gonzalezes for the price of 1 Jayson Werth. LOL!

[Mattniles007]

Nice signing for the price. Nationals are solidifying their roster look out NL East in the future, too bad they threw 120 million out the window with Werthless.

[tndcollectables]

Gio's contract is good, but the problem is the A's pitchers win they leave have arm troubles (Haren) or suck (Zito) for examples.

I believe they did overspend on Werth, but I also feel he tried to do to much. With some added protection (Harper), and if they can score Fielder, he will put up the numbers as he did in Philly.

[bakemeister52]

I agree that this is a good deal and Werth will get his act together this year, watch out for the Nationals!