Nationals trade for Gio Gonzalez

The Washington Nationals are on a steady course out of mediocrity. They already had frontline starters Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg. Now they add another great starter. The Nationals sent prospects A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock, Tommy Milone, and Derek Norris to the Oakland Athletics for starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

Brad Peacock is one of the Nationals best pitching prospects. However, Gio Gonzalez is a proven starter. In 2010 and 2011 respectively, Gonzalez pitched to a 3.23 ERA and 3.12 ERA. This year, he won 16 games with one of the worst offensives behind him. He struck out 26 more hitters than in 2010. His SO/9 rate rose from 7.7 to 8.8. He was named to the all-star team in 2011.

The Athletics got some great prospects in the deal. They will not be competitive for at least 3 years, and by that time Gio would have hit free agency. They trade him at the height of his value.