The Nationals took steps toward solidifying their 2011 rotation on Monday by trading for left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny and agreeing to terms with John Lannan, according to baseball sources.
Washington sent three minor-leaguers to the Chicago Cubs for Gorzelanny, including 22-year-old outfielder Michael Burgess and 2009 fourth-round pick A.J. Morris, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher.
Gorzelanny was 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA for Chicago in 2010. The 28-year-old pitched 1361Ú3 innings last season and adds depth to a Nats’ pitching staff that will be without phenom Stephen Strasburg (Tommy John surgery) for most of the season. Gorzelanny gives Washington a different look after averaging 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Only Strasburg (12.2) and Jordan Zimmermann (7.8) struck out more than 5.9 batters per start for Washington’s soft-tossing rotation in 2010.
Lannan’s new deal is for one year, $2.75 million and means both sides avoid a scheduled arbitration hearing. The 26-year-old left-hander has been the Nats’ Opening Day starter each of the last two seasons.
