The Houston Astros have acquired Gerrit Cole in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, both teams announced on Saturday. Given that he's still two years away from free agency, Cole would seem to be the kind of guy you build the next great Pittsburgh team around. However, those reports turned out to be premature. With Cole, they have insurance when Keuchel and Morton hit free agency after the season.
All of this led to Schugel owning a 3.19 ERA, a 3.79 FIP, and a fWAR of 0.7 the past two seasons.
The 27-year-old pitcher has been the subject of rampant trade rumors and speculation throughout the offseason. The New York Yankees also had interest in acquiring him.
By adding Cole, the Astros make their already formidable rotation even mightier.
Cole will join All-Stars Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander on a team that just won its first crown. That group of pitchers is arguably the deepest and most talented rotation in baseball.
USA resumes DACA applications after judge blocks end to program
The Department of Justice has indicated it will appeal the judge's decision, a move that could again put the program on hold. Still, he said, "it's a good sign and maybe recipients can file and renew immediately before any appeal or new law".
"Trading Gerrit Cole was not an easy decision", general manager Neal Huntington said in a prepared statement. He's 11-12 with a 4.77 ERA in that time, but finished out 2017 by posting a 1.44 ERA over 31 1/3 innings of relief. However, he was far more effective a year ago when pitching out of the bullpen.
The Pittsburgh Pirates welcome in two right handers in Musgrove and Feliz - the latter of whom is reputed to have a "big arm" according to Jon Heyman.
Moran is a third baseman with some prospect pedigree, the sixth pick in 2013 by the Marlins out of North Carolina. David Freese is penciled as Pittsburgh's third baseman previous year. I'd project Moran as a second-division starter, but there's the chance he won't hit for enough power to play a corner infield slot.
Outfielder Jason Martin is also a part of the package. Through his work in 2016 and 2017, Schugel has solidified himself as a core member of the Pirate bullpen heading into the 2018 season. However, he profiles more as a fourth outfielder than an everyday player.
The Astros reportedly targeted Cole at the trade deadline last summer. They acquired Cole without giving up any elite prospects or any player who will be impossible to replace. In the end, Cole will in fact be joining the reigning World Champion Astros' rotation.
