Milwaukee Brewers Rumors: Crew Is Pursuing Nats’ Gio Gonzalez

The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly in hot pursuit of a starting pitcher that wasn’t even expected to be on the market.

Ken Rosenthal is known for his bombshell reports on Twitter. But this was one of the more unexpected names to hear. He wasn’t even rumored to be on the market.

Gio Gonzalez pitched against the Brewers in a recent outing at Miller Park. Despite giving up five runs in 5.2 innings pitched, the front office must have seen something they liked in the 32 year old left.

The Brewers recently lost lefty Brent Suter for the season to a torn UCL. Perhaps Gonzalez could fill Suter’s spot in that rotation.

How Is Gio Gonzalez Pitching This Year?

So far, Gonzalez has a 3.78 ERA in 21 starts this season. His 1.45 WHIP is not very good, and it’s caused by his high walk rate. Gonzalez has a 4.5 BB/9 this year, and his strikeouts are down a little as well.

In his last start, Gonzalez went seven strong innings, allowing only one run.

What Does Gonzalez’s Contract Look Like?

Gonzalez is in the final season of a seven year/ $65.5 million contract. He’s a free agent at season’s end, when he will be 33 years old.

He’s getting paid $12 million for this whole season. That leaves around $4-5 million or so for the rest of 2018 should he become a Brewer.

What Would Gonzalez Cost?

Considering he’s a rental, not much. Couple that with his high WHIP and not-so-great peripherals, and he’s a cheap addition.

Gonzalez used to be considered one of the top pitchers in baseball. He had ace-level stuff, for all intents and purposes. But he’s declined a little bit this season.

Because of that, any possible return package won’t be very heavy. But it could be similar to the other trades the Milwaukee Brewers made prior to this deadline, since both were rentals. It can cost one top 30 prospect who’s blocked and an extra guy to throw in.

Someone like Trey Supak or Troy Stokes, Jr. could headline since both need to be added to the 40 man roster this winter and there’s a roster crunch at both positions. It’s just my speculation but they could be a fit.

The Nationals weren’t expected to sell this season, but with a poor first half and a mediocre start to the second half, they may be willing to sell off some of their impending free agents.