Gio Gonzalez allowed one run in five innings and struck out seven Sunday in the Nationals' 2-1 win over the Cardinals. Gonzalez had an awful outing against the Cards 10 days ago, but he's been otherwise strong this spring. With the Cubs first on his schedule, he should be active in all formats this week.

Gio Gonzalez blanked the Cardinals for four innings before Sunday's game was rained out. Gonzalez has excelled so far, pitching seven scoreless innings for the Nationals. He didn't walk a single batter today. If he can cut down on the walks in the games that matter, he has a chance to be one of the NL's top fantasy pitchers.

Gio Gonzalez shut out the Braves for three innings in the Nationals' 5-2 victory Tuesday. Gonzalez allowed one hit, walked one and fanned two. He's a good bet to strike out about 200 batters in his first year in the National League.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Gio Gonzalez's new contract extension with the Nationals includes a vesting option for 2018. Gonzalez signed a five-year, $42 million contract extension with the Nationals on Sunday which includes $12 million options for 2017 and 2018. If the club option for 2017 is picked up and he throws 180 in the same season, his option for 2018 will kick in automatically.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, Gio Gonzalez's five-year extension is worth $42 million. And if the options for 2017 and 2018 are eventually picked up, it could be worth as much as $65 million. Gonzalez signed the deal on Sunday, and is now under team control through his arbitration years and beyond. The 26-year-old left-hander posted a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts last season for the A's, striking out 197 batters in 202 innings of work. He should fare well in the nation's capital.

Nationals signed LHP Gio Gonzalez to a five-year contract extension. The deal runs through 2016 and also contains team options for 2017 and 2018. Gonzalez was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter as a Super Two qualifier, so the contract buys out at least one year of free agency. It's not clear at this point how much the deal is worth. Gonzalez, 26, boasts a 3.17 ERA and 184 strikeouts per year since the start of the 2010 season. He was acquired by the Nationals last month for a package of prospects.

Nationals acquired LHP Gio Gonzalez from the Athletics for LHP Tommy Milone, RHP Brad Peacock, C Derek Norris and RHP A.J. Cole. Gonzalez has been a solid fantasy starter in each of the last two seasons, averaging a 3.17 ERA and 184 strikeouts per year since the start of 2010. He has some control issues and the Nationals heavily overpaid for him in giving up four top-end prospects, but the 26-year-old lefty should help his new club compete in the National League East rather soon. Along with fellow rotation mates Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, he's under team control through at least 2015.

According to ESPN's Keith Law, the Athletics have agreed to trade Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals for prospects A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Derek Norris and Tommy Milone. It's a massive haul for A's GM Billy Beane. Cole, a 19-year-old right-hander, posted a 108/24 K/BB ratio in 89 innings this past season at the Single-A level. Peacock, a 23-year-old righty, had a 2.39 ERA and 177/47 K/BB ratio in 146 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2011. Norris, a 22-year-old catcher, has an .861 career OPS in the minors, and Milone registered a 155/16 K/BB ratio in 148 1/3 innings this past season at Triple-A. Gonzalez is a top-end left-handed starter and should fit nicely into the Nationals' plans to contend quickly, but Oakland is the clear winner in this five-player swap.

Updating a previous item, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Red Sox are trying to land both Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey in a "monster" deal. Well, that would be something. If true, any such deal would surely include top third base prospect Will Middlebrooks, among others. For what it's worth, Rosenthal still pegs the Nationals as the favorites for Gonzalez. Meanwhile, the Rangers and Rays are also involved on Bailey.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox are still talking to the Athletics about both Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey.