Gio Gonzalez Coming Back to Arizona

PHOENIX - After a long and drawn out bidding process Gio Gonzalez has decided to return to Arizona. Gonzalez drew initial interest from the Giants and Rangers, but the Giants dropped out after the offers started to get bigger. It looked like Texas was going to land him until the Twins stepped in and a late offer from the Pirates seemed to change his mind. Despite the flurry of offers, Gonzalez opted to stay with the Diamondbacks.

 The 29-year old free agent had a disappointing 2014 season in which he posted a career low in innings pitched, strikeouts, and career high ERA since becoming a full-time starter in 2010. Gonzalez has been almost a lock for 32-33 starts since 2010, but 2014 saw him only able to take the mound 27 times.

Gonzalez and Arizona agreed to a two-year $18.4 million contract through 2016 with a team option for 2017 that would take the total to $27.6 million. The deal will take him through his age 31 season which should see him hit the market again for one more contract.

Arizona needs Gonzalez to lead their staff.

Gonzalez went 21-8 with 207K and a 2.89ERA in 2012, but has failed to return to those lofty heights since. The Diamondbacks don't expect him to repeat 2012 every year, but they will need him to pitch 200+ innings, keep his WHIP under 1.20, and win between 12-15 games (if not more) every year in order for this deal to be worth it.