The Houston Astros have acquired RHP Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for 3B Colin Moran, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Michael Feliz and OF Jason Martin.
Coming off a world series victory, the Astros added another ace to their pen. Coming off the worst year of his career, Cole will fit in as the Stros third starter, behind Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel, and in front of playoff heroes Lance McCullers and Charlie Morton. Cole, who was thought by many to be going to the New York Yankees, but was nearly dealt on Wednesday, but now Houston was able to land the former 1st overall pick.They didn\’t give up their 2nd best prospect, Forrest Whitley, but instead their 5th best prospect in Moran. Musgrove was just going to be their 5th/6th starter without Cole, and their 6th/7th with him. Martin and Feliz aren\’t big names, and were mainly throw-ins.
Cole, 27, had a 4.26 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 196 strikeouts in 203 innings in 2017. In his MLB career, all in Pittsburgh, Cole has an ERA of 3.50, a 1.22 WHIP and 734 strikeouts in 782.1 innings.
For the Pirates, I don\’t really get why they\’d do this trade. They get Moran, their future third baseman, but they also got a 5th starter in Musgrove, a long reliever and Feliz and a minor leaguer in Martin. That\’s it for the guy they drafted 1st overall in 2011. They could have gotten OF Clint Frazier from the Yankees, which is a better deal for them straight up. Moran is just two years younger than Cole and has a whopping seven for 34 in his MLB career.
Moran, 25, had a .364 batting average with a homer and three RBIs in 12 Plate Appearances for the Astros in 2017. In his short MLB career, all in Houston, Moran has a .206 batting average with that homer and five RBIs in 37 Plate Appearances.
Musgrove, 25, had a 4.77 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 98 strikeouts in 109.1 innings in 2017. In his MLB career, all for the Astros, Musgrove has a 4.52 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 153 strikeouts in 171.1 innings.
Feliz, 24, had a 5.63 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 48 innings. In his MLB career, all in Houston, Feliz has a 5.13 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 172 strikeouts in 121 innings.
Martin, 22, has a .269 batting average, 50 homers, 238 RBIs and 74 stolen bases in 1936 career minor league Plate Appearances.
I think the Astros win this trade. They get an ace, for WAY less than an ace shall cost. Man, I feel like all the sellers are getting ripped off this off-season. First the A\’s for Ryon Healy, then the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton, then Miami again for Marcell Ozuna, now it\’s the Pirates with Cole.
CarterHud 