GIO TO THE NATIONALS
The Washington Nationals acquired pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Robert Gilliam from the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, as well as catcher Derek Norris.
What does it give the Washington Nationals
The Nationals were seeking starting pitching help this off-season, and they've landed one of the best available in Gonzalez. He's a lefty with big upside as a starter, so he should slide nicely into the No. 2 spot in the rotation--behind only phenom Stephen Strasburg. The acquisition of the 26-year-old Gonzalez is further proof that the Nats are serious about contending in 2012. They certainly gave up a ton in four solid prospects, but Washington is a team that needs to start making some strides in the National League East division. Gonzalez should help them in that area.
What does it give the Oakland Athletics
The A's are renowned for swinging deals such as these. It's the reason why they made a movie based on Oakland GM Billy Beane ("Moneyball"). Milone and Peacock are solid pitchers with good futures, and both should help in the big leagues fairly soon. They both could even begin 2012 in the rotation (or at least on the roster). Norris could now be viewed as Oakland's catcher of the future. He may have had trouble supplanting Wilson Ramos in D.C. In Oakland, he's next in line for when Kurt Suzuki becomes too expensive to keep. The key to this deal for the A's may be Cole, who only turns 20 in early January. He has big upside as a starter, but is years away from the big leagues. All told, Beane got a lot in return for one of his starters, but his team isn't better in the short term after this deal.
Fantasy impact
