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Two Low-Budget Signings the Atlanta Braves Need to Make

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 02: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals jokes with first baseman Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the game at SunTrust Park on June 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 02: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals jokes with first baseman Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the game at SunTrust Park on June 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio  Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio  Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Gio Gonzalez

I wrote about the Atlanta Braves possibly signing Gio Gonzalez about a month ago, and the 33-year-old left-handed pitcher is still just sitting out there with very few teams showing interest in him.

Bob Nightengale tweeted out early in February that the Brewers, Giants, Athletics, and Padres all have some level of interest in Gonzalez.

To my knowledge, the Padres are the only one of those teams who have also been linked to Keuchel. If that’s the case, then his signing shouldn’t be holding up the market for Gio.

I think most fans are familiar with the work of Gio Gonzalez as he pitched for the Nationals the past six and a half years.

Last season he posted a 4.21 ERA in 171 innings pitched with 148 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.44.

However, he was really good for the Milwaukee Brewers down the stretch posting a 2.13 ERA in 25.1 innings (5 starts) with 22 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.95.

You have to wonder if that type of success in Milwaukee will push both sides to make a reunion.

The Brewers are in a similar situation to the Braves as they have some young arms they could either move into the starting rotation or leave in the bullpen to get some seasoning.

My guess is that Gio will get a one-year deal worth around $8 million with an option year for 2020. Or at least that is what I would be willing to give Gio if I’m the Atlanta Braves.

And if I had to predict where he will sign, I think he goes back to the Brewers. But in my opinion, it would be wise for the Atlanta Braves to bring him as a veteran pitcher to steady the rotation.

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