Newest National: Gio Gonzalez has been traded by the A's to the Washington Nationals (Photo Credit: AP)

It finally happened.

The Oakland A’s finally dealt their All-Star lefty Gio Gonzalez on Thursday to the Washington Nationals. The A’s sent Gonzalez, 26, to a Nationals team that now looks poised to contend for a playoff spot next year.

With Gonzalez, the Nationals beef up their already formidable rotation with a proven starter who has won 31 games over the past two years. He went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA with 197 strikeouts this season for the Athletics.

Oakland, mired in a tough stadium situation, gets four young prospects in return for Gonzalez. Those four prospects include right-handed pitchers Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole, lefty Tom Milone, and catcher Derek Norris.

Peacock is considered major league ready. He should compete for a spot in Oakland’s starting rotation this spring.

The 23-year old righty went a combined 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA between Washington’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this year. He received a call-up from the Nationals, going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA over 12.0 big-league innings of work.  (more…)