The Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros Saturday, ending one chapter in the team’s recent success and pushing its window of contention into the future.
More so than Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison, Cole, a young, cost-controlled starting pitcher, was the Pirates’ most attractive trade piece this offseason. So the Pirates’ future success — and perception in the fanbase’s eyes — will rest on how successful the return on that trade is.
The Pirates received four players for Cole: third baseman Colin Moran, right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove, right-hander Michael Feliz and outfielder Jason Martin.
In an ideal world for the Pirates, Moran, 25, will spell some of their issues at third base.