Nationals pick up Gonzalez's 2017 option, cut loose Petit

Gio Gonzalez is returning to the Nationals in 2017 - and possibly 2018. Yusmeiro Petit is returning to the free agent market.

The Nationals announced today they have picked up Gonzalez's $12 million option for next season, keeping the veteran left-hander in their rotation. But they are declining Petit's $3 million option, cutting loose the rubber-armed reliever.

The decision to retain Gonzalez may at first glance raise some eyebrows, given the pitcher's erratic performance this season and declining numbers over the last several years. But $12 million is more than a reasonable price today for a left-hander who has made at least 31 starts in six of the last seven years. The only other active southpaws to do that: Jon Lester, Madison Bumgarner, David Price and Cole Hamels.

The Nationals could have bought out Gonzalez's contract for $500,000, cutting ties after five seasons in D.C. But they continue to see him as an important part of their rotation for at least one more year, and possibly two. His contract includes a clause that requires the team to pick up another $12 million option for 2018 if he pitches at least 180 innings in 2017. He hasn't topped that mark since 2013 but he has come close in each of the last two seasons with 175 2/3 and 177 1/3 innings.

That said, there will be pressure on Gonzalez to show improvement after what proved to be a disappointing 2016 season. Despite going 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA in his first eight starts, he finished 11-11 with a 4.57 ERA (his worst since 2009 with the Athletics).

The Nationals could still look to trade Gonzalez, who could be attractive to other clubs given his affordable salary, but for now envision him at the back end of a 2017 rotation that includes Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark and Joe Ross.

Petit, meanwhile, sees his time in Washington end after only one season. Signed last winter for $3 million to serve as a valuable long reliever and emergency starter, the right-hander had a 2.72 ERA in 26 games through Aug. 1 but was scored upon in seven of his last 10 appearances, finished with a 4.50 ERA and was left off the roster for the National League Division Series.

The Nationals bought out Petit for $500,000.