The Pittsburgh Pirates made a move to address their starting pitching needs by acquiring veteran left-hander Marco Gonzales from the Atlanta Braves in a recent trade. The deal also includes cash considerations, with Gonzales set to make $12,250,000 next year in the final season of the four-year, $30 million extension he signed with the Mariners in February of 2020.
The Braves had acquired the 31-year-old Gonzales from Seattle as part of the Jarred Kelenic trade, but they had no intention of keeping him and instead sent him to Pittsburgh. The Pirates’ general manager, Ben Cherington, has been vocal about the team’s need for starting pitching, and this move addresses that need.
Gonzales brings a wealth of experience to the Pirates, with a 65-49 record and a 4.14 ERA over nine Major League seasons, including 155 starts and eight relief appearances. He made 10 starts in the past season, going 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA before a left forearm strain landed him on the injured list in early June. He underwent surgery in August to address the issue, but pitchers have successfully returned from similar procedures.
This move comes as the Pirates’ rotation has been depleted by injuries, with Johan Oviedo recently undergoing Tommy John surgery. Cherington expressed the team’s desire to add starting pitching and is willing to increase payroll to fill the team’s needs.
Gonzales will be a key addition to the Pirates’ pitching staff as they look to strengthen their rotation for the upcoming season. With his experience and potential for a successful return from injury, Gonzales could provide a much-needed boost to the team.