In a whirlwind of transactions, southpaw pitcher Marco Gonzales found himself changing teams for the second time in a span of just three days, moving from the Atlanta Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates as of Tuesday. The swap involves Atlanta acquiring either a player to be identified later or a financial sum in return for Gonzales, while Pittsburgh gains both the left-handed pitcher and additional monetary compensation. This latest trade comes on the heels of a preceding deal on Sunday, where the Braves secured outfielder Jarred Kelenic, infielder Evan White, Gonzales, and cash from the Seattle Mariners. In return, Atlanta sent right-handers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips to Seattle.
Gonzales, aged 31, faced his most recent game on May 28 before being sidelined due to injury, eventually leading to season-ending forearm surgery in August to rectify a nerve-related problem. His performance in the 2023 season saw him achieve a record of 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA across ten starts. Over the course of his extensive nine-year tenure in Major League Baseball, Gonzales has amassed a career record of 65 wins and 49 losses, along with a 4.14 ERA and three complete games, appearing in 163 games, with 155 starts.
Looking ahead, Gonzales is set to earn $12 million in the upcoming 2024 season, marking the final year of his existing four-year, $30 million contract. Additionally, the agreement includes a club option for 2025, offering a potential $15 million payout with no accompanying buyout. As the left-hander navigates these rapid changes, his performance and contributions are eagerly anticipated by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the upcoming seasons.
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