Pittsburgh Pirates: Review of the Gerrit Cole Trade

Nearly six years later, let's review the Pirates trading Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros

Aug 28, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Colin Moran (19)
Aug 28, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Colin Moran (19) | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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It's been nearly six years since the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros. Let's take a look back at the trade and what has since transpired for the players involved.

On January 13th, 2018, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the then reigning World Series Champion Houston Astros. In exchange for Cole, the Pirates received relief pitcher Michael Feliz, outfielder Jason Martin, third baseman Colin Moran, and starting pitcher Joe Musgrove.

Feliz struggled in the Pirates' bullpen in 2018 with an ERA of 5.66. In 2019, he started to show why he was a part of the trade, with a 3.99 ERA in 56.1 innings. In 2020, which was the pandemic-shortened season, he pitched 1.2 innings before getting hurt and missing the remainder of the season. In 2021, he pitched in 7.2 solid innings with the Pirates, posting a 2.35 ERA, before getting designated for assignment, and picked up by division rival Cincinnati Reds.

Afterward, he was cut and then signed by the Red Sox and then claimed off waivers by the Athletics. In 2022, he struggled to get MLB time, only pitching 3.1 innings with the Red Sox while with the Twins and Red Sox in the minors. In 2023, he played for the Yankee Triple-A team before getting cut. He has since signed with the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB.

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