After erratic year, Nats have decision to make on Gonzalez

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Gio Gonzalez, who after another erratic season faces a somewhat uncertain future with the franchise.

PLAYER REVIEW: GIO GONZALEZ

Age on opening day 2017: 31

How acquired: Acquired from Athletics with Robert Gilliam for A.J. Cole, Tommy Milone, Derek Norris and Brad Peacock, December 2011.

MLB service time: 7 years, 162 days

2016 salary: $12 million

Contract status: Club holds $12 million option for 2017, with $500,000 buyout. Contract includes $12 million vesting option for 2018 if Gonzalez pitches 180 innings in 2017.

2016 stats: 11-11, 4.57 ERA, 32 GS, 0 CG, 177.1 IP, 179 H, 98 R, 90 ER, 19 HR, 59 BB, 171 SO, 9 HBP, 1.342 WHIP, 0.8 WAR

Quotable: "I finally showed up, and I'm happy I did it here with this organization. Oakland gave me an opportunity, and Washington helped me continue that opportunity, and I couldn't be happier to do it with these colors and represent the Washington Nationals." - Gio Gonzalez after recording his 100th career win

2016 analysis: Optimism abounded for Gio Gonzalez when he opened this season with his best sustained stretch since perhaps his first season in D.C. in 2012. Through his first eight starts, the left-hander was 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA. The key: He was finding a way to minimize damage, pitching his way out of jams and never letting dicey situations get out of control the way he often did in the past.

But as the full season played out, Gonzalez started to look more like the erratic pitcher of the last few seasons than the consistent winner he resembled in April and early May. Most troubling was his uncanny tendency to be handed a lead by his teammates in one half of an inning and then immediately give those runs right back in the bottom of the frame.

Gonzalez particularly faded down the stretch. He posted a 5.73 ERA over his final 10 starts, failing to complete at least six innings seven times. Under other circumstances, that might have left the veteran on the outside looking in come playoff time. But with Stephen Strasburg injured and Joe Ross still working his way back from the disabled list, the Nationals had to make Gonzalez their No. 3 starter in October. He lasted only 4 1/3 innings in game the Nats did end up winning at Dodger Stadium.

2017 outlook: The Nationals have a decision to make on Gonzalez, and probably will be making it soon. They hold a $12 million option on him for next season. (They could buy out the contract for $500,000.) If they pick up the option, then they would be required to pick up another $12 million option for 2018 if the left-hander pitches at least 180 innings in 2017. (For what it's worth, Gonzalez pitched 175 2/3 innings in 2015, then 177 1/3 innings this year.)

Gonzalez may be frustrating to watch, but $12 million for a left-hander who consistently makes 30-plus starts with something close to a league-average ERA is a pretty fair price. If they let him go, the Nationals would probably have to spend more than that to acquire a comparable pitcher on the open market.

If Gonzalez returns in 2017, though, he is going to have to figure out what worked so well for him early this season and do whatever he can to make that the norm throughout an entire season. The Nationals need more consistently positive performances from their veteran southpaw.