Oakland A's Ace Gio Gonzalez Reportedly Dealt to Washington Nationals

The Oakland Athletics rebuilding project is continuing. Keith Law of ESPN has tweeted that Oakland has dealt ace Gio Gonzalez to the Washington Nationals for four prospects, pitcher A.J. Cole, catcher Derek Norris, pitcher Brad Peacock and pitcher Tom Milone.

Gonzalez, who is 26, posted a 16-12 record for the Athletics last season, posting a 3.12 ERA. 

This is an interesting move for both squads. In a division with the Albert Pujols-led Angels and two time defending American League champion Rangers, they are clearly in rebuilding mode. So, landing four top prospects from a team with a strong minor league system is a solid move.

The dividends will show in the future for Oakland. As far as Washington goes, they will need more of an immediate payoff. 

Trading four prospects of this caliber does hurt their future. They do still possess a good minor league system, but these are four legitimate major league prospects that were just dealt to the Athletics. 

On the positive end, they are now instant contenders for the National League Wild Card, if not the National League East. Philadelphia is still the class of that division, but one injury or poor performance opens that division up to any one of the teams in it, with the exception of the Mets. 

Gonzalez is a strikeout pitcher, so his success will translate to hitting parks. Playing in Oakland is never a bad thing for pitchers, but he will now get the benefit of facing a lineup with eight pitchers and a hitter, as opposed to nine hitters.

The A's did get the better of this deal. It comes down to numbers. 

If one or even two of those players bust, they still come away okay. They are getting four quality prospects. If nothing else, they can use these guys as trade bait in the future. 

The Nationals need Gonzalez to thrive, and for their division to become winnable. Even if Gonzalez wins 20 games, this is not going to be a good move if it doesn't lead to consistent postseason contention for the Nationals. 

They are contenders now, but do have a talented National League Eastern division to contend with.

The A's get an A for this move. The Nationals get a B-. Oakland has a deep array of talent that they will be waiting on to thrive. Washington has one man.

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