Chicago Cubs: Options aplenty next offseason outside of Bryce Harper

Chicago Cubs: Is Gio Gonzalez a potential rotation target?

Forget about the Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals rivalry for just a minute. The Cubs-Nationals showdowns we’ll have this year (the clubs meet seven times in the regular season) are already circled on my calendar.

After last year’s exciting NLDS matchup between these two clubs, who can be anything short of ecstatic at the prospect of another postseason battle? Add in the fact that Harper could flip sides in the rivalry after this year and that longtime Joe Maddon bench coach Dave Martinez now manages the Nats and you’ve got yourself a prime storyline.

But Harper isn’t the only Washington talent who could come to Chicago next winter. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez is also a free agent after this season. And, despite being constantly overshadowed by Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer, he’s been an incredibly consistent pitcher for years.

Consistency in the rotation

Since joining the Nationals in 2012, the southpaw carries a 3.34 FIP and 115 ERA+ across more than 1,110 innings pitched. His strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.62) isn’t where you’d like it to be, but he’s limited the damage.

Just once has his ERA eclipsed 4.00 in a season while in D.C. The former first-round pick of the White Sox turns 33 in September. We may very well see him seek a five-plus year deal next winter. If that’s the case – no thanks. But after failing to advance in the postseason year after year in Washington, the thought of winning it all in the Cubs’ current window might persuade him otherwise.