As Wilmer Font Struggles Again, Gio Gonzalez Continues To Shine

16 May

Gio Gonzalez
NYPost.com:

Gio Gonzalez has been more than a marginal upgrade for the Brewers since the Mets passed on him again after he opted out of his minor-league contract with the Yankees last month.

The 33-year-old lefty owns a 2-0 record and a 1.69 ERA in four starts for Milwaukee after allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings in a 5-2 victory Wednesday over the Phillies. Gonzalez signed a one-year deal worth $2 million with the Brewers, the team he finished last season with, on April 24.

————

The Mets made a minor trade for Wilmer Font earlier this month, but he’s posted a 9.95 ERA in two starts. Chris Flexen also has made one spot start this season.

“The addition of Gio, ‘consistent’ is the word you’d like to use because the line scores look the same every time out,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters Wednesday. “It’s more than consistent; he’s been really darn good. He hasn’t given up more than two runs in a start yet. That’s really good.”

Some head-scratching moves made by Brodie Van Wagenen so far this season (mind you, it’s only May): signing the journeyman Font over Gonzalez, not letting Dominic Smith get reps in the outfield, Todd Frazier still being on the team and failing to make an offer to Dallas Keuchel, who’s still available and reportedly willing to accept a 1-year contract.

Gio Gonzalez Signs With Brewers

24 Apr

Gio Gonzalez
NYPost.com:

On a day the Mets trot out Jason Vargas to the mound, a potential replacement fades away.

Gio Gonzalez is signing a one-year, $2 million deal with the Brewers, The Athletic first reported Wednesday. It’s a major league deal that also includes performance bonuses. It’ll be a reunion for the free-agent starter, who came to Milwaukee in a deadline deal from Washington last offseason.

Milwaukee reportedly was more attractive than other suitors because he can slot right into the rotation, whereas the Mets may have wanted him out of the bullpen, too.

The Mets, according to The Post’s Mike Puma, viewed Gonzalez as a marginal upgrade at best over Vargas. They did not want to eat his money if he flopped.

My guess is that with the Mets in first 1st place and deGrom’s MRI coming back ok, there just isn’t a pressing need to sign a starting pitcher.

Mets Unwilling To Go An Extra Year On Gio Gonzalez

3 Feb

Gio Gonzalez
RisingApple.com:

One reason Gonzalez may still be unsigned could be because he’s looking for a multi-year MLB deal. The Mets may not be willing to offer him a major league deal due to the fact they already have a set rotation, and Jason Vargas pitched much better over the second half of the 2018 season, posting a 3.81 ERA. over that stretch.

While Gonzalez would be a great fit for the Mets on a minor league deal, he’s currently the second-best pitcher available on the free agent market, behind only Dallas Keuchel. Unless general manager Brodie Van Wagenen surprises the fan base again by signing Keuchel, Gonzalez should be their man at this point.

Gonzalez has an ERA under 2 lifetime (in 17 starts) at Citi Field. If that’s not enough to sign him, I don’t know what is.