:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69653876/1330728916.0.jpg)
Well, well, well.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
According to multiple reports, the Dodgers just pulled off the blockbuster of the season. According to reports, they have acquired Cy-Young Award winning pitcher Max Scherzer..... AND All-Star shortstop Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Dodgers are making significant progress on a deal that would send them star right-hander Max Scherzer and star shortstop Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals for a prospect-laden return, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
I’m still trying to process this. What a day of emotions.
Earlier on Thursday, the Padres reportedly were close to acquiring Scherzer. More reports began to come out that although the trade was close, it was still not finalized yet and other teams were still involved.
After a few hours of silence, right when I was getting ready to enjoy my dinner, this notification went off and I had to double-check to make sure I read that right.
What a deal for the Dodgers, as they acquire two difference makers. In Scherzer, they get one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. He’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and has been excellent for the Nationals this season. Having 10/5 rights, Scherzer would have to approve a trade to the Dodgers, and it looks like he wants to go to Los Angeles for a chance at winning his second championship.
Switching things over to Turner, the Dodgers acquire one of the best shortstops in all of baseball. On the season, he’s hitting .322 with an OPS of .890. He has 18 home runs and has driven in 49 runs. In addition to shortstop, Turner adds defensive versatility as he can slide over to second base and center field when Corey Seager returns from the injured list.
Turner is under contract through the end of 2022, so this gives LA an option at shortstop moving forward if they don’t bring back Seager.
Wow. What a trade.... for now.
In regards to the prospects leaving, this one will hurt.
Full return for #Nationals Max Scherzer-Trea Turner deal with Dodgers is catcher Keibert Ruiz, RHPs Josiah Gray and Gerardo Carrillo, and OF Donovan Casey, source confirms
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) July 30, 2021
Keibert Ruiz was the No. 1 prospect in the Dodgers’ organization. He’s been a top 100 prospect for years and he’s likely going to be special. But with Will Smith looking like the future at catcher and Diego Cartaya coming up, this made Ruiz expendable. It’s tough, but the expectation was he’d be traded in part of a deal.
The shocker comes with Josiah Gray, who just made his MLB debut last week. He’s the best pitcher in the Dodgers’ organization and looks to be part of the rotation moving forward. However, when you can get two players of this magnitude, you got to pull the trigger.
By parting ways with Gray, it likely helped the Dodgers avoid parting ways with more top-tier talent.