The Seattle Mariners have inked left-hander Marco Gonzales to a 4-year contract extension (starting in 2021) with a club option for 2025. The Mariners continue to establish a core of exciting, young players, with Gonzales playing a prominent role.

“Since joining the Mariners, Marco has been a model of consistency, quietly ranking among the most productive starting pitchers in the AL,” Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. “His presence, competitiveness, preparation and leadership make him a key part of our future.”

“This is truly an exciting day for me and my family,” Gonzales said. “We consider the city of Seattle our home, and to be welcomed by the Mariner organization and the fans with such open arms, and now this contract, is a dream come true. This organization has a vision for winning a championship, and I am honored to be a part of their plans. This will only further motivate me and the passion that I have to compete and win. I do not take their commitment to me lightly, and I will always represent this team and this city with honor and pride.”

Gonzales, 27, ranked T1st in starts (34), T5th in wins (16), T6th in quality starts (19), 7th in innings pitched (203.0) and 13th in ERA (3.99) among American League leaders in 2019, while setting career-highs in starts, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts (147). He was 1 of 4 American League pitchers to rank 7th or better in wins, innings pitched, starts and quality starts, joining Gerrit Cole, Lance Lynn and Justin Verlander. Overall, he went 16–13 with a 3.99 ERA (90 ER, 203.0 IP) with 56 walks and 147 strikeouts in 34 starts with the Mariners last season. His 16 wins were the most by a Mariners pitcher since Hisashi Iwakuma in 2016 (16) and the most by a Mariners lefty since Jamie Moyer (21) in 2003. He made his first career Opening Day start for the Mariners at the Tokyo Dome in 2019.

Since the start of the 2018 season, Gonzales has been one of the best young pitchers in the Major Leagues. Among all qualified pitchers age 27 or younger during that span, he ranks T2nd in wins (29), T5th in innings pitched (369.2), 6th in fWAR (7.1) and 13th in strikeouts (292). Overall, including all qualified Major League pitchers, he ranks T6th in wins, 11th in ERA and 9th in fWAR during that span.

Gonzales was originally acquired by the Mariners from St. Louis in exchange for outfielder Tyler O’Neill on July 21, 2017. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 1st round (19th overall) of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Gonzaga University. He has appeared in parts of 5 Major League seasons with St. Louis (2014–15 & 2017) and Seattle (2017-c), going 34–25 with a 4.25 ERA (211 ER, 447.0 IP) with 121 walks and 356 strikeouts over 85 career games (77 starts).

Gonzales lives in Seattle with his wife, Monica, and is involved in multiple community efforts around the area in partnership with Mariners Care. Programs and efforts he is involved in include: On Base Youth Clinics and Play Ball events promoting baseball and softball across the Pacific Northwest, supporting Challenger Little League athletes with physical and mental disabilities, visiting patients and families at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, working diligently with his wife, Monica, to bring awareness to Multiple Systems Atrophy and many other Mariners Care initiatives.

His Pacific Northwest roots date back to his college days at Gonzaga University, where he spent 3 seasons (2011–13) and compiled a record of 26–7 with a 2.34 ERA. He is the highest draft pick (19th overall) in Gonzaga baseball program history. During his time at Gonzaga, he was named two-time West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year, earning the honors as a freshman (2011) and as a junior (2013), sharing with Kris Bryant (Univ. of San Diego) both years. As a junior in 2013, he also earned John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year honors.