All-Star Gio Gonzalez expected to opt-out of Yankees’ contract

By Matt Johnson

·Updated: April 19, 2019

For a team in significant need of depth for its rotation, the New York Yankees are likely going to take a pretty significant hit in the coming days.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez is reportedly expected to opt-out of his minor-league contract with the Yankees on Saturday to enter free agency.

With Domingo Germán and CC Sabathia fortifying the Yankees' rotation, there is increasing sense Gio Gonzalez plans on opting out of his deal tomorrow, sources tell ESPN. The Yankees would have 48 hours to add him to their roster, and if they don't, he'll become a free agent.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019

New Agent: Gonzalez reportedly fired agent Scott Boras this week and is signing with the Creative Artists Agency as he looks to get a fresh start as a free agent with the chance to find a new home.

Agent news: Gio Gonzalez has left Scott Boras and is now represented by CAA, per sources. Gonzalez must be added to the Yankees’ roster by Saturday or he can request his release.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 19, 2019

Time in the Minors: Gonzalez signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees in March and made his Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre debut on April 4.

In his first start, the 33-year-old allowed eight earned runs and 11 baserunners across four innings.
In his next two starters, the southpaw surrendered just two runs with 18 strikeouts over 11 innings pitched.
New York would have owed Gonzalez $300K for each start he made at the MLB level this season.

Gonzalez will almost certainly find a new home given the need for pitching around the league and it could even lead to a spot in another team’s big-league rotation before long.