Gio Gonzalez Contract Option Picked Up by Nationals: Latest Details and Reaction

The Washington Nationals announced Thursday they are picking up the $12 million club option on the contract of starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez for 2017.

William Ladson of MLB.com first passed along word of the team's decision.

Gonzalez remained one of the league's most enigmatic starters with the Nats in 2016. The 31-year-old lefty possesses high-end stuff but lacks command, and his tendency to spend too much time in the middle of the plate has led to wild swings in productivity throughout his career.

The 2004 first-round selection is coming off his worst statistical season since 2009. He posted a 4.57 ERA and 1.34 WHIP while giving up a career-high 19 home runs across 32 starts. His strikeout numbers were still strong, however, punching out 171 batters in 177.1 innings.

His struggles peaked in September, when he had a 7.43 ERA in five starts. Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post passed along the left-hander's explanation after giving up six runs in a start against the division-rival Atlanta Braves.

"It's September," Gonzalez said. "So, try doing it from February to September. It's a long, gruesome thing. You're going to hit a wall."

His best season came in 2012, his first year with Washington. The Florida native pitched like an ace, going 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 32 outings. He also struck out a career-best 207 hitters.

Based on the fact Gonzalez is capable of pitching at the level, his overall numbers after nine years in the majors are a bit mundane. He owns a 3.73 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 249 career games.

The Nationals' decision to keep him doesn't come as a surprise, but it wasn't a slam dunk. The team is starting to reach a point where its top pitching prospects are ready for the spotlight, including Joe Ross, A.J. Cole and Lucas Giolito.

When you add in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the Nats could have created a potent five-man rotation without Gonzalez. But Strasburg's injury woes and uncertainty over whether those younger starters are ready for full-time roles made keeping the lefty the safe move.

With that said, Gonzalez has a player option for 2018 at the same $12 million rate, per Spotrac. So the Washington front office may look to trade him if it feels confident in its other options before a logjam occurs that prevents the next wave of starters from sticking in the big leagues.