The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced their trade to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals in exchange for a prospect haul of Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Donovan Casey and Gerardo Carrillo.
It puts a bow on what was a stunning turn of events after it appeared the Nationals were primed to trade Scherzer to the San Diego Padres. However, talks never crossed the finish line, which could have been related to Scherzer holding a full no-trade clause as a player with 10-and-5 rights.
Shortly after it was reported the Dodgers and Nationals were deep into negotiations on their blockbuster trade, came news of Scherzer having already approved the deal.
The future Hall of Famer fortifies a starting rotation that once appeared to be a strength for the Dodgers. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 8-4 with a 2.76 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 0.89 WHIP in 19 starts.
Scherzer bounced back from being scratched because of right triceps discomfort to throw six innings and allow just one run on Thursday. If remaining on regular rest, Scherzer is lined up to face the Houston Astros in the series opener at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.
The Dodgers will need to wait on Turner as he remains in MLB’s COVID protocol for at least another week. Turner will need to test negative and pass other screenings before being cleared to come out of quarantine/isolation.
Once Turner does join the Dodgers, he presumably will slide over from shortstop to second base. As for Turner’s presence in the lineup, he brings a speed threat and some power with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and .521 slugging percentage.
Ruiz was often mentioned in trade speculation over recent years but the Dodgers declined to part with their switch-hitting catcher at effectively every turn. They reportedly were against trading the organization’s top prospect at the deadline this season for a player who was not under contract beyond 2021.
That presumably was a factor in talks with the Nationals expanding to include Turner, who is under team control through next season.
Gray was another of the Dodgers’ top prospects and is not far removed from making his MLB debut. The right-hander appeared after an opener on July 20 and made his first career start five days later.
Although the Dodgers parted with a top pitching prospect, the organization is flush with talent in that area.
The Dodgers selected Casey in the 20th round of the 2017 Draft. The 25-year-old is yet to advance past Double-A, where he played this season. Casey batted .296/.362/.462 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 73 games with the Drillers prior to the trade.
Carrillo also was with the Drillers, going 3-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 15 games (14 starts). The right-hander appeared in exhibition games during Summer Camp last year. Carrillo was signed as an international free agent on July 5, 2016.
First Dodgers trade
Prior to finalizing their trade with the Nationals, the Dodgers acquired Danny Duffy from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for a player to be named later. DJ Peters was designated for assignment in order to add Duffy to the 40-man roster.
Duffy is likely multiple weeks from being able to pitch as he recovers from a left flexor strain.
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