*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
On Thursday night, the Baseball world was blessed with a massive blockbuster trade. The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired RHP Max Scherzer and SS Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals, in exchange for C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray, RHP Gerardo Carillo, and OF Donovan Casey, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The trade has been confirmed.
The trade to the Dodgers was a bit of a shock, because, earlier in the day on Thursday, it was reported that the San Diego Padres were nearing a deal for Scherzer. But, alas, they did not get a deal done, and the Dodgers came to Washington with an offer for Scherzer and Turner that the Nationals ultimately did not refuse. The Dodgers will be taking on all of the money owed to both Scherzer and Turner.
So far this season, Scherzer has a 7-4 record, with a 2.18 ERA in 18 starts for the Nationals, striking out 142 hitters in 105 innings pitched, being selected to the all star game. In his last start for the Nationals Thursday afternoon, Scherzer turned in a dominant outing, allowing one run in 6 innings pitched, as the Nationals won game one of a doubleheader.
Scherzer was the biggest name pitcher available, and for good reason. He has made it to 8 all star games in his career, including 7 straight selections, going from 2013 to 2019. He also has a 182-97 record, with a 3.19 ERA in 395 games, 386 of those being starts. In his 14 seasons, Scherzer, a former first round pick, has played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and Nationals in his career. He will become a free agent at the end of the season.
Despite being a lesser name to Scherzer, Turner is having a fine season himself, posting a .322 average with an .890 OPS, hitting 18 homers and driving in 49 runs in 96 games this season, making his first career all star game. In his career, Turner has a .300 average with a .842 OPS, hitting 93 homers and 302 RBI in 637 games, across 7 seasons, all with the Nationals.
The big part of Turner coming to the Dodgers is the contract situation. He is under contract for next season as well, hitting free agency after the 2022 season ends. The current starting shortstop, Corey Seager, is scheduled to hit free agency at the end of this season, and will likely see plenty of teams line up for his services. If he does leave, Turner can become the starting shortstop for at least one more season.
The big piece of the return is Keibert Ruiz, who immediately becomes the number one prospect in the Nationals system, according to MLB pipeline. In 8 career MLB games, split between 2020 and 2021, Ruiz has a .200 average with an .800 OPS, with two homers and two RBI in 15 total at bats. Ruiz had his path to the majors blocked by Will Smith and Austin Barnes at catcher. Now, he'll likely crack the Nationals opening day roster next season.
Gray, who made his MLB debut this season, will become the 3rd ranked prospect in the Nationals system, and is the 42nd ranked in all of baseball, with Ruiz at 41st. In two big league games, Gray has a 6.75 ERA in 8 total innings, striking out 13 batters as well. In the minors, Gray has a 2.87 ERA with Triple A Oklahoma City.
The other two prospects, Carrillo and Casey, are also good pieces, although Casey won't slot into the Nationals top 30 prospects. Carillo, on the other hand, was the 22nd ranked prospect in the Dodgers system, and will immediately jump into the top 10 of the Nationals system, which is a system that is in need of rebuilding, which the Nationals have signified with this trade.
With the trade, the Dodgers form a fearsome infield of Justin Turner, Seager, Trea Turner, and Max Muncy, and a starting rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, David Price, and Scherzer, with Tony Gonsolin in the mix for spot starts as well. The Dodgers active roster now also includes 4 MVP winners and 8 Cy Young trophies.
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