The Pittsburgh Pirates made a move late Tuesday, with Jeff Passan of ESPN reporting that the Bucs are adding pitcher Marco Gonzales to their fold via a trade with the Atlanta Braves.
“The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring left-handed starter Marco Gonzales in a trade from the Atlanta Braves, sources tell ESPN. The Braves will send cash to the Pirates and receive a player to be named later.”
This is the second time Gonzales has been traded within just a span of two weeks. It can be remembered that he was sent to the Braves by the Seattle Mariners earlier this December along with Jarred Kelenic and Evan White for Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.
Although the Pirates are getting a pitcher who posted a 5.22 ERA in the 2023 MLB season with the Mariners, the potential for a strong rebound from Gonzales can still be expected. For one, his 2023 FIP (4.28) was lower than his ERA and his .316 BABIP in the same campaign indicates that better days are coming for the 31-year-old hurler.
Of course, there will still be questions about Gonzales' health after his 2023 campaign was ended by a forearm injury, but this trade can also be viewed as a calculated risk for the Pirates, who can let go of the veteran pitcher by not picking up his club option for the 2025 MLB season.
Last season, the Pirates finished just 24th in the big leagues in starters ERA (4.88) and only 24th in starters FIP (4.63), while missing the MLB postseason for the eighth year in a row.
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