Less than a month after trading for Gio Gonzalez, the Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a contract extension that could keep the young lefty in a Nats uniform through 2018. The extension means that Gonzalez and the Nats will avoid salary arbitration. The Nationals made the announcement on their Twitter account on Sunday afternoon.
#Nationals agree to terms w/ LHP Gio Gonzalez on contract extension thru 2016, w/ options for 2017 & ’18, thus avoiding salary arbitration.
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) January 15, 2012
The lefty was set to become a free agent after 2015, so the extension is huge news as the Nats now control his rights for an additional three years.
Gonzalez was traded to the Nationals just before Christmas, with Washington sending A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Derek Norris, and Tommy Milone to the Athletics. Gonzalez went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts and 202 innings pitched in 2011.
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