Gerrit Cole finally traded to the Houston Astros, for real this time
Gerrit Cole is now finally traded to the Houston Astros. No, for real this time.
Gerrit Cole is now a member of the Houston Astros. Seriously, he is. The Pittsburgh Pirates sent the 2015 National League All-Star to H-town, in exchange for third basemen Colin Moran, RHP pitcher Joe Musgrove, RHP Michael Felix, and outfielder Jason Martin.
CONFIRMED: The Pirates have acquired right-handed relief pitcher Michael Feliz, outfielder Jason Martin, third baseman Colin Moran and right-handed starting pitcher Joe Musgrove from the Houston Astros in exchange for Gerrit Cole. pic.twitter.com/iPhCMXQSI7
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 14, 2018
Gerrit Cole had a down 2017 campaign, with a mediocre 12-12 record, 4.26 ERA/1.25 WHIP, to go with 196 strikeouts for the Pirates. But, don’t expect Cole to stay in the middle of the pack for long, where he’s likely to return to his 2015 All-Star caliber form — 19-8, 2.60 ERA/1.09 WHIP, and 202 strikeouts.
The Houston Astros are countering the Los Angeles Angels, who have been making a push during the offseason, knowing all too well that to stay on top, you must not fall into a state of complacency.
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To go with a potent offensive lineup, their starting rotation is now one of the best in the American League, with these projected starters for 2018:
- Dallas Keuchel
- Justin Verlander
- Gerrit Cole
- Lance McCullers Jr.
- Charlie Morton
The Cole deal brings more tidings of joy, where the Astros will get a bargain for him this upcoming season. His salary will be a meager $6.75 million, after settling with the Pirates in arbitration. He will also be arbitration eligible once again after the season concludes, but the Astros should have plans for a longer-term deal in mind.
On the other hand, Pirates fans are not happy at, with their fans taking to social media in showing their displeasure:
CONFIRMED: Pirates 20 year rebuild begins
— Andy (@andyaul9) January 14, 2018
Will Andrew McCutchen be the next to leave the Steel City, sending the Pirates into full rebuild mode? It’s highly likely, which is a sad sight to see, with Pittsburgh bringing baseball back to where it belongs. The once upward trajectory is now spiraling down, where Pirates’ fans deserve much better.
Next: Who was lost to baseball in 2017?
Meanwhile, things are looking up for the Houston Astros, with plans to repeat in 2018, where a decade of patience and rebuilding has finally paid off. Gerrit Cole will be a major contributor to the team next season, where he should return to his All-Star form of three seasons ago.