The Washington Nationals announced Friday that their reported trade with the Oakland Athletics is official.
In a press release, the team confirmed it has acquired left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez and minor-league pitcher Robert Gilliam in exchange for four prospects, catcher Derek Norris, and pitchers A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock and Tommy Milone.
"We could not be more pleased to add lefthander Gio Gonzalez to our club," general manager Mike Rizzo said in the press release. "Gio is a front-line starter with glowing credentials, the vast majority of which were achieved before his 26th birthday. Gio's presence bolsters the top portion of our rotation with yet another power arm to compete in the rugged National League East."
Gilliam, excluded by most reports of the deal, is a 24-year old righty selected by the A's in the 8th round of the 2009 amateur draft. He was 12-7 with a 5.04 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 28 starts for High-A Stockton this past season. He'll join Gonzalez, the centerpiece of the deal, in joining the Nationals organization.
Gonzalez, 26, was 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA and 197 strikeouts for Oakland in 2011.
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