Today, the Washington Nationals and the Oakland Athletics agreed on a massive blockbuster trade. The Nationals acquired LHP Gio Gonzalez, and minor league RHP Robert Gilliam in exchange for 4 top-flight prospects. The Nats surrendered righties AJ Cole and Brad Peacock, lefthander Tom Milone, and catching prospect Derek Norris.
Gonzalez, 26 years old, gives Washington a very affordable and electric left-handed starter to insert into their rotation in between power arms Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. Over the course of the past two seasons, Gio has tossed over 400 innings, with 368 punchouts, while maintaining an ERA of 3.17.
This move may put the Nationals into playoff contention for the first time since their move to DC. The Nats surrendered multiple prospects suggesting that they are ready to win right now. Could this mean they will be a player in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes? GM Mike Rizzo has an excellent relationship with mega-agent Scott Boras and the Nats could use a nice power bat from the left side in their batting order.
The Nats will likely open the 2012 season with a rotation that looks like this:
1) Stephen Strasburg - RHP
2) Gio Gonzalez - LHP
3) Jordan Zimmermann - RHP
4) John Lannan - LHP
5) Chien-Ming Wang - RHP
The Opening Day lineup should look similar to this without any extra acquisitions:
1) Ian Desmond - SS
2) Jayson Werth - CF
3) Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
4) Michael Morse - LF
5) Bryce Harper - RF
6) Wilson Ramos - CA
7) Adam Laroche - 1B
8) Danny Espinosa - 2B
All in all, great deal for both sides. Nats win right now, A's could win in future. AJ Cole and Brad Peacock could become no.2 and no.3 starters respectively. Derek Norris could become an everyday catcher. Tom Milone will likely peak as a 'Quad-A' starter meaning that he will be a no.6 or no.7 starter at best. The Nats could have found themselves an ace in Gio.
Only time will tell...
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