Did the Nationals Lose Too Much for Gio Gonzalez?

The Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics are finalizing a four for one deal that would send Gio Gonzalez to the Nats in exchange for right-handers Brad Peacock and AJ Cole, lefty Tom Milone and catcher Derek Norris. Having spent his entire four-year career with the A’s, Gonzalez had a breakout season in 2010 and continued his success in 2011 compiling a 31-21 W-L record with a 3.17 ERA in those two years. Not bad if you’re looking for a solid #3 starter like the Nationals were, but considering Washington gave up three of the organizations top ten prospects, it's only appropriate to dig deeper and see if GM Mike Rizzo’s risk is worth the reward. The scouting report on Gonzalez is that he has a fastball in the low nineties with a solid change up and wicked curveball, but like most pitchers with strong curves, control is a big issue with the newly acquired left-hander. In 2010 Gonzalez issued 92 walks only to lead all of baseball with 91 walks in 2011, that’s a 4.1 BB/9 rat...