The White Sox on Friday announced the signing of left-hander Gio Gonzalez to a one-year, $5 million contract with a team option for 2021.
Gonzalez, 34, will receive $4.5 million in 2020. The Sox’ option is for $7 million, with a $500,000 buyout. The deal first was reported Thursday.
While not among the top tier of free-agent pitchers, Gonzalez is the first significant offseason addition to the Sox’ starting rotation. He joins a group that features young right-handers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Cease and likely will fall into the back end of the mix.
Right-hander Michael Kopech, who had Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow in September 2018, is expected to be throwing without restrictions during spring training and moving into the rotation sooner than later.
‘‘We view Gio as an important addition to our pitching staff,’’ general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. ‘‘He brings an impressive résumé to our club as a veteran left-hander who has enjoyed success and should have a positive impact on our younger pitchers in terms of competing, battling and helping us win games at the major-league level.’’
With Gonzalez in the fold, all eyes remain on Hahn and what move comes next. The Sox are expected to add another starter, but whether it’s a pricey choice for the top of the rotation or a filler for depth at the bottom is the question of the hour. They have offered no strong indications they’re in the hunt for left-handers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel, the top remaining free-agent pitchers.
An All-Star with the Athletics in 2011 and Nationals in 2012, Gonzalez finished sixth in National League Cy Young voting in 2017 and owns a 3.68 career ERA. He averaged 31 starts from 2010 to 2018 and, among left-handers, ranked among the major-league leaders in starts (second, 283), opposing batting average (fifth, .236) and innings (fifth, 1,681„).
The signing marks yet another Sox homecoming for Gonzalez, even though he hasn’t thrown a pitch for them. Originally drafted 38th overall by the Sox in 2004, Gonzalez was traded as a prospect to the Phillies with outfielder Aaron Rowand and left-hander Daniel Haigwood on Nov. 25, 2005, for Hall of Famer Jim Thome.
The Sox got Gonzalez back from the Phillies on Dec. 7, 2006, with right-hander Gavin Floyd for right-hander Freddy Garcia. They then traded him to the Athletics on Jan. 3, 2008, with reliever Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney for outfielder Nick Swisher. He made his major-league debut in 2008.