With news coming out that Luis Severino would be out until May with a shoulder injury, and CC Sabathia also having knee problems, the Yankees went out and added depth to their rotation by signing Gio Gonzalez to a 1 year $3 million minor league deal according to multiple reports.
However, there is a catch to this deal, as Gio can opt out of his pact with the Yankees on April 20th.
Before I get into the opt-out situation, the Yankees and Gio made too much sense, as they desperately needed starting pitching even though they had some great guys in the farm system like Domingo German And Luis Cessa.
The 33-year-old Gonzalez has been a back of the rotation starter for most of his career and is known for stepping up in the playoffs, as we saw last year when he was on the Milwaukee Brewers.
With this, the Yankees now have Gio and most likely Luis Cessa, as their 4th and 5th starters in the early going of 2019.
Meanwhile, German would head to the bullpen.
According to extended reports, Gonzalez will not start the season with the Yankees, as he will be in the minors, so he can get some work in and be ready for a potential call up at least a couple of weeks into the season.
By then, Sabathia would be back, which would send Cessa down to the minors to make room for Gonzalez.
As for the opt-out, Gio will opt out by April 20th, if he is not on the team or not living up to the expectations which are a reliable back of the rotation starter.
Also, Gonzalez will be getting incentives based on how many games he starts, as that was an added clause in the contract.
Thoughts:
I like the move because it brings in another veteran presence and helps us with depth at the starting pitching position!
I like the terms , because it saves money, and if he stinks up the joint, he can walk right out the door.
Via MLB on Twitter.
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