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Washington Nationals: Grading Gio Gonzalez’s 2016 Season

By Matt Holleran

Jul 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws to the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws to the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Our Washington Nationals player reviews continue today, as we look at starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

After a disappointing and inconsistent season in 2015, the Washington Nationals were really counting on Gio Gonzalez to rebound in a big way in 2016. Gonzalez ended up having his worst season of his career to date, making it a big question if the Nationals will pick up his $12 million club option this offseason.

Gonzalez started 32 games in the 2016 season. He posted a record of 11-11, with a very high ERA of 4.57. Gonzalez gave up 179 hits in 177 innings of work, and gave up 19 home runs, the most in his career.

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Gonzalez started of the year pitching well, holding a 3-1 record and a 1.86 ERA on May 18. Gonzalez’s next start again the New York Mets, turned out to be a big turning point in his season. He gave up seven runs in just five innings of work, and the next month was arguably the worst month Gonzalez has had in a Nationals uniform.

The Nationals left-hander gave up at least three or more runs in his next seven starts, and on June 30 his ERA had risen to an alarming 4.81. Gonzalez had fairly solid months of July and August, but still was very inconsistent, and unable to show any string of good consistent starts.

One positive is Gonzalez was able to improve his command this season, walking only 59 batters in his 177 innings.

Gonzalez had one start in the postseason against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Game 4 of the NLDS. With a chance to clinch a trip to the NLCS, again he was disappointing. He was only able to go 4.1 innings, and gave up three run, failing to deliver the good start that the Nationals needed.

This season once again Gio Gonzalez was very up and down, and unable to perform on a high level with much consistency. The Nationals were really counting on Gonzalez this season, and he ended up being arguably their worst starter. After a very poor season, the question about picking up his $12 million club option looms large, and it will be very interesting to see what the Nationals decide to do.

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D. Gonzalez once again battled inconsistency in a very disappointing 2016 season. Although Gio was able to improve his command, he was hit much harder this season, and struggled giving up home runs. With the expensive club option pending for the 2017 season, there is a decent chance Gonzalez may have pitched his last game for the Nationals.. SP. Washington Nationals. GIO GONZALEZ

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