An absolute steal for Boston.
I’m not sure who’s in charge over in Pittsburgh, but whoever it is just got absolutely fleeced into agreeing to maybe the worst trade deal in the history of trade deals.
No, I’m not talking about sports. This trade was for a gorilla.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will soon be sending Frankie, their 7-year-old male western lowland gorilla, to Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo.
And what did the Steel City get in exchange? Boston’s 33-year-old silverback gorilla, Little Joe.
No draft picks, no bench players, just a straight up one for one trade of a 7-year-old gorilla in exchange for a 33-year-old gorilla. I wish my team had whoever’s in charge in Boston in their front office.
Like I said, maybe the greatest trade of all time for Boston, but what in the world is Pittsburgh thinking?
Well, the trade is part of Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ gorilla species survival plan, which helps ensure that the endangered gorillas maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population. Frankie will be joining two other males in his age range in Boston, which the Pittsburgh Zoo says will allow them to live social lives while minimizing competition.
Male gorillas typically mate when they become silverbacks, between the ages of 15-20 years old. Gorillas who are too young to mate, but too old to be considered juveniles, typically band together in “bachelor” groups, which allows for greater socialization among the group.
Little Joe, meanwhile, will be joining Pittsburgh’s gorilla family that includes two females, 29-year-old Moka and 35-year-old Ibo, and two juveniles, 3-year-old Charlotte and 2-year-old Bo. The Pittsburgh Zoo had been without a silverback since their last one, Harry, died in 2025.
He’s also had quite the eventful life: Back in 2003, Little Joe escaped his enclosure at the Boston zoo and ran into a nearby neighborhood, injuring a 2-year-old girl and leading police on a chase before eventually being captured about two hours later.
Let’s hope Frankie doesn’t learn his tricks…
And look, I get that Boston wanted to get younger at the position. Or maybe Pittsburgh just wanted somebody with more experience. But either way, it’s a tough look just trading a 7-year-old for a 33-year-old who clearly has character concerns. And people online are letting Pittsburgh hear just how badly they got fleeced in the trade:
“The Pittsburgh Zoo is clearly in win-now mode.”
“Pittsburgh got fleeced. Taking on an aging star without any draft picks in return is insanity.”
“Pittsburgh traded one of the top prospects in the Animal Kingdom for an aging star way past his prime with an underwater contract”
“Pittsburgh still refusing to rebuild and trading more prospects for veteran “leadership” smh”
“Pittsburgh is going for it and Little Joe’s leadership makes them an instant contender. Frankie is now the future of the Boston program. They’re a few years away but once they get there – look out.”
“Ridiculous. Any fantasy football league would have vetoed this”
“I don’t like this trade for the Pittsburgh zoo. Frankie is only 7 but his upside is thru the roof. 33-year-old Little Joe’s best days are behind him at this point.”
I mean, Boston could have at least thrown a penguin or two in there to make it an even trade.
