Nats bolster staff with Gio Gonzalez trade

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals say they have added another young power arm to their rotation with a trade for Oakland Athletics all-star hurler Gio Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, a left-hander who made his first All-Star Game appearance this past season, joins Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann atop the Nationals' rotation with the Friday deal.

The Nationals also got minor league right-hander Robert Gilliam while the rebuilding A's received three pitchers -- right-handers Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole and left-hander Tom Milone -- as well as catcher Derek Norris from the Nats, the Oakland Tribune reported.

Gonzalez, 26, finished 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA for the A's last season. He fanned 197 batters in 201 innings but also surrendered the most walks in the league with 91.

The move sparked speculation the Nationals will go all-out to woo free agent first baseman Prince Fielder with a lucrative deal in a bid to challenge Philadelphia, Atlanta and Florida in the National League East, The Washington Post said.