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.