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Washington Nationals: Is Gio Gonzalez in for a Career Year?

By Matt Weyrich

Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) stands on the mound during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Minnesota Twins 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) stands on the mound during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Minnesota Twins 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Gott (26) throws a pitch in the first inning during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Gott (26) throws a pitch in the first inning during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s the deal with Trevor Gott?

When the Nationals traded starting third baseman Yunel Escobar to the Los Angeles Angels over the offseason, count me among the group of writers who weren’t really surprised. He had a career year in his only season in Washington, but the likelihood of him repeating those numbers wasn’t very high.

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His stock was soaring, and general manager Mike Rizzo worked out a deal that reigned in right handers Trevor Gott and Michael Brady. Brady, 29, has spent his entire career in the minors but could make an impact on the big-league club down the road. Gott, on the other hand, had just wrapped up his age-22 season in Los Angeles, posting a 3.02 ERA in 48 appearances.

The common line of thinking heading into Spring Training was that Gott would be a key component of Washington’s revamped bullpen, but was surprisingly optioned to the minors in favor of non-roster invitee Matt Belisle. However, Belisle hit the DL this week, but the Nats didn’t dial Gott’s number. Solis got the call, and promptly gave up a homer in his first appearance.

Is there something the Nats know about Gott that we don’t? Yes, he’s under contract through the 2021 season, but what kind of reason is that to keep him in Triple-A with his level of upside? His sinker tops out at nearly 99 miles per hour. So far this season, he’s put up a 3.48 ERA in seven appearances for Syracuse, and has yet to allow a homer.

Next: Washington Nationals Offense Shut Out By Jeremy Hellickson, Phillies

It is an absolute crime for Gott to be trapped in Triple-A. What good was trading Escobar for him if they weren’t even going to play him in the majors? I’m sure the lineup could use the .281/.347/.449 slash line he’s posting in LA.

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