Newly minted Yankees lefty Gio Gonzalez says it was an easy choice to join the New York organization, as George A. King III of the New York Post and MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch cover (Twitter links). The offer from the Yanks “was pretty much” the only one he got all winter long, says the veteran southpaw. It has been quite some time since Gonzalez has had to fight for a roster spot and a big-league paycheck, but he says it’s “a pretty great opportunity” that he “can’t be ungrateful” for. If he cracks the roster, Gonzalez will play for a $3MM base salary and would also take home $300K for each game started.
Here’s more from the American League …
- Mariners righty Shawn Armstrong is heading to the injured list with a grade 1 oblique strain, MLB.com’s Greg Johns reports. He says he’ll be patient in allowing thing to heal, but didn’t hide his anger at hitting the shelf just before the season began. (Anderson flew to Japan believing he would be ready to roll, but the issue was worse upon arrival.) Armstrong, 28, is still hoping that this’ll be the season he fully establishes himself in the majors. He has seen action in four seasons but has yet to be entrusted with more than 21 appearances in a given campaign. Armstrong turned in sub-2.00 ERA performances at both Triple-A (in 56 innings) and the majors (14 2/3 innings) in 2018.
- The White Sox may not go long without new reliever Kelvin Herrera, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. The veteran hurler, who’s working back from a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot, hasn’t yet fully ramped things up but seems on track to get back to being a high-powered relief arm early in the new season. “I will probably be in full shape by April something or May,” he says.
- It seems there’s some new potential for late-camp movement with the Blue Jays roster. Skipper Charlie Montoyo says that righty relievers Ryan Tepera and John Axford have turned up with elbow pain that is being looked at more closely, as Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports (Twitter link). Those injuries are among the factors that could leave the Toronto organization with more 40-man roster room to work with — but also more 25-man roster needs to address — than had been anticipated, MLB.com’s Gregor Chisholm notes on Twitter.
I guess that pitcher is the guaranteed WS win.
I read a recent article that the Yankees may use the “Opener” tactic employed by the Rays last year. It made me wonder how something like that affects contract terms. For example, Gonzalez’s contract pays him $300k per “start”. Does the contract define a “start”? If the Yankees use Chad Green for an inning to open the first, then use Gio for the next five innings, is Gio entitled to compensation?
I was thinking the exact same thing so I would have thought Gio’s agent would have put in some amount or the full amount on games played.
Having said that, the Yankees have never been known to play shenanigans like that.
True. They did compensate Sabathia for the bonus he lost for his revenge beaning last season.
Agreed. But what if it is the best baseball move? Pitching a righty the first inning makes sense against Boston and Houston. Maybe others.
That’s a good question… I would hope the Yankees don’t play games with contracts to avoid paying them that would be pretty lame.
I watched Armstrong’s last ST game- what a shame, he quickly got 2 outs even got to 3-2 last batter. Then he ran into a little trouble, a walk, couple hits and about 30+ pitches later….he was literally 1 pitch away from being in that game in Tokyo last night
I know Gio isn’t an ace, but baseball is in a bad place in free agency if a guy like him didn’t have more offers than that over an entire offseason. Something definitely needs to change.
You’re right. If teams continue to refuse to sign players in their 30s, I can see the union demanding to rework the 6 year team control rule.
@slogo I too can see the union wanting to adjust the number of years of control a team has over a player once they hit the big leagues. Pay the guys when they are worth the money younger and then pay them what they are worth in current ability in the older years
@scuba17 No doubt he did get offers but he might have been holding out for longer term money. If that were the case, I can see where teams did not want to sign him now for 4-5 years considering is is not of the ace variety as you say. One should not expect to be signed to long term, large dollar contracts as you are entering you final years of your career. Teams used to do that but they finally wised up that such contracts were bad investments.
In the article it says Gio said it was pretty much the only offer he got
“but [Armstrong] didn’t hide his anger at hitting the shelf just before the season began.
The lesson is this: If you don’t want an arm injury, don’t hit a shelf.
(Even if your name is Arm-strong.)
p.s. Yes, I know he didn’t literally hit a shelf.
Gio for $3m? Meanwhile, the Tigers signed Tyson Ross for nearly $6m at the beginning of free agency. For once, I would like to see Al Avila wait the market out.
$3MM is just his base salary. Gio also gets $300K for each start. Let’s just say he makes 25 starts. That means he’ll actually get paid $3MM + $7.5MM = $10.5 MM.
Even with that, it’s probably still a much better than the Ross one.
Tyson Ross looks worse than Mike Pelfrey.
It’s a good deal for both, Gio isn’t getting 25 starts unless he is pitching well.
Gio Gonzalez received no offers…. so many rebuilding teams that need to eat innings and flip him at the deadline. CraY.
flip him for what? If no teams want to sign him they damn sure don’t want to trade assets and pay him. Use your brain man
I love Gio’s new contract, getting paid to perform , not just being paid to show up. Linda like the normal world.
He’s going to get destroyed in the AL East.
Onto other news….Axford shouldn’t be making the team, elbow issues or not.
I love the trolling here HAHA.. Gio will be a space filler and spot starter here and there when the injury bug bites. No need for the extra analysis and contract talks.