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Cross Gio Gonzalez off the list of potential starting pitchers the Marlins can pursue this offseason. The Nationals picked up Gonzalez’s $12 million option Thursday, according to Today’s Knuckleball’s Jon Heyman.
sources: nats will pick up gio gonzalez $12M option (not a shock, @chelsea_janes called it "likely")
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 3, 2016
Because of his Florida background, Gonzalez seemed to make sense for the Marlins. He would have also proven to be a consistent front-end of the rotation arm in the absence of Jose Fernandez.
Though he had his worst season since 2009, Gonzalez still pitched to a 4.57 ERA and 3.76 FIP over 177.1 innings with the Nationals. While he is making $12 million, Gonzalez is likely a better option over some of the starters in this winter’s free agent class.
Marlins decline Rodney’s option
Fernando Rodney won’t be on Miami’s roster in 2016. The Marlins won’t exercise his option for next season, according to Heyman:
marlins do not plan to pick up rodney option of $4.1M plus same big incentive package. buyout is 400K
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 3, 2016
Now, the Marlins will likely be forced to depend on Kyle Barraclough and A.J. Ramos in the back end of the bullpen,