Gio Gonzalez triggered his $12 million vesting option for 2018 tonight when he officially hit the 180 innings pitched mark during tonight’s start against the Atlanta Braves.
While the rest of Gonzalez’s night was nothing worth remembering -- he gave up five runs on seven hits in five innings and stands to be the game’s loser -- it’s an option the Nationals are no doubt more than happy to have triggered, as Gonzalez has been fantastic this year, posting a 2.50 ERA and featuring a 163/69 K/BB ratio in 179.2 innings entering tonight’s start. Given that performance, $12 million is a stone cold bargain for Gonzalez next year and will be even if he suffers some falloff.
