News broke on Thursday that the White Sox had agreed to a deal with free agent starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez. The 34-year-old lefty is back with the White Sox for the third time in his career, as he was previously traded twice before he ever made it to the majors on the South Side.
The Athletic’s James Fegan has the contract details for Gonzalez. He’ll make a guaranteed $4.5 million in 2020 and will have a chance to earn $1 million in incentives based on making a certain amount of starts. The contract also includes a club option for 2021 worth $7 million. That also includes a $500k buyout.
So, at the very minimum Gonzalez will earn $5 million with the White Sox. ($4.5 mil base + $500k buyout) The best case scenario for him and the White Sox is that Gonzalez makes at least 30 starts ($1 million incentive) in 2020, returns in 2021 on the $7 million club option and earns a total of $12.5 million over two seasons.
Gonzalez has made 31+ starts in eight of the last 10 seasons. He only made 17 starts with the Brewers in 2019 because the Yankees kept him down in the minors to begin the year and then he asked to be released. The only other time in the last decade that he hasn’t made at least 31 starts in a season was in 2014, when Gonzalez made 27, missing time with the Nationals because of shoulder inflammation.
So, it’s a pretty safe bet that Gonzalez will be able to earn the $1 million in incentives for the 2020 season.
Oh and have you heard, we’re giving away tickets to the White Sox 2020 home opener!
