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The Milwaukee Brewers will bring back veteran starter Yovani Gallardo for 2015, as CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the club is expected to exercise Gallardo's $13 million option. The decision comes as little surprise as Gallardo has been quite good this season.
The 28-year-old Gallardo entered 2014 after posting easily the worst full season of his eight-year big league career. In 180.2 innings, he had posted a 4.18 ERA, 3.89 FIP, and 0.5 WAR, finishing with the first below-average season of his career according to ERA+ (92). Gallardo rebounded nicely this season, playing a crucial role in helping the Brewers maintain their NL Central lead until their recent collapse. This year, Gallardo has posted a 3.51 ERA, 108 ERA+, 3.94 FIP, 2.70 K/BB, and 2.4 WAR in 192.1 innings pitched. He was among the brightest young pitchers in baseball early in his career, topping 200 strikeouts every year from 2009 to 2012, while averaging a 110 ERA+.
Barring an extension, Gallardo will hit the open market after next season. If he can repeat his 2014 performance, the former All-Star should be in for quite a large payday.