Nationals snag Gonzalez By QMI Agency

Athletics starter Gio Gonzalez pitches against the Rangers in Arlington, Tex., July 8, 2011. (TIM SHARP/Reuters)

The Washington Nationals have won the raffle for Gio Gonzalez, acquiring the left-handed pitcher Thursday from the Oakland A's for four top prospects.

Oakland will get right-handers A.J. Cole and Brad Peacock, catcher Derek Norris and left-hander Tom Milone.

The A's included pitcher Rob Gilliam in the deal. The 24-year-old right-hander went 12-7 with a 5.04 ERA in 28 starts for Single-A Stockton last year.

MLB.com ranked Peacock as the Nationals' No. 2 prospect, behind only Bryce Harper, with Cole third and Norris fifth.

But the Nationals were determined to get Gonzalez, 26, who was 16-12 in 2011 with a 3.12 earned-run average.

Gonzalez, a four-year veteran, has spent his entire big-league career with Oakland, compiling a 38-32 record with a 3.93 ERA and 511 strikeouts in 535 innings.

He is eligible for arbitration after the 2012 season but isn't eligible for free agency until 2016.

Peacock went 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA with double-A Harrisburg and triple-A Syracuse in 2011.

Twelve teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, reportedly were interested in dealing for Gonzalez.