Dodgers: What the Nationals Trade Means for LA and the Farm System
Dodgers team president Andrew Friedman surprised everyone in baseball on Thursday by acquiring All-Stars Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals. In exchange for Turner and Scherzer, Friedman sent four minor leaguers back to Washington.
Both of the Dodgers’ top prospects, starter Josiah Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz, were included in the deal.
Fixing the Dodgers Rotation
Eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is a life raft for the Dodgers depleted rotation. Well, maybe more of yacht. Scherzer has a 2.76 ERA plus a career low WHIP of 0.89 this season. He has the second highest strikeout rate amongst starters this year (35.1%) behind only Corbin Burnes. Even at 37 years old, Scherzer is still dealing.
The likely Hall-of-Famer will join Buehler, Urias, and soon, Kershaw, in the Dodgers potent rotation. It might once again be the best starting staff in baseball now.
Adding Roster Depth
Shortstop Trea Turner fixes another big problem for the Dodgers – roster depth at the major league level. Although Turner hasn’t played much outfield or second base since 2017, the supremely talented athlete should see time at both of his former positions. His versatility should allow for an easy coexistence with Corey Seager once Seager returns from injury.
The short-handed Dodgers have lately been forced to play AAA players who aren’t ready to perform for the big club. Swapping in an All-Star for a below replacement level player should only help the Dodgers chase down the Giants.
Especially when that All-Star is hitting an impressive .406 against left handed pitching.
Final Thoughts
Parting with Gray and Ruiz was a steep price to pay. However, Friedman traded away premium prospects for current major league All-Stars.
Friedman and the Dodgers addressed two glaring weaknesses, their depth and rotation, in a monster deal that won’t soon be forgotten.
By either team involved.
2021 Dodgers Trade Deadline: A Day-of Journal As Moves Happen
With so many contracts coming off the books this winter, Dodgers can afford to extend Scherzer for a couple of years if he wants to stay. That means that if Kershaw wants to maintain his salary level, the Dodgers won’t have to pay the price. Having Turner for another year means they can afford to not get into a bidding war for Seager if it develops. Yes, the prospect cost was high but for two all stars who can make a difference now, it’s worth it. Best of all, it prevents the Padres or the Giants throwing Scherzer against the Dodgers in a wild card game. Let’s get those t’s crossed and i’s dotted.
The Dodgers will be in good position to battle for division title with this trade to the Nats.
Young minor league players are unproven talents. Good jobs AF and FO.
Big move ! Maybe some bullpen help will come today, hopefully ! Long time Dodger fan, this was a restoration of faith for me ! Go Dodgers
In two years, no one will think much of the prospects they lost due to C Cartaya and the vast depth of pitching prospects moving up fast.
Plus, we get May, Ferguson, and Kanle back next year….
Correct on those minor leaguers still being unproven as far as MLB goes because prospects are just that. Only concern is hearing that maybe Trea Turner does not want to remain on a West Coast team long term. WSS. The last thing I would want to see is for the 2023 season, Dodgers end up with neither Turner or Seager. I ido recall that Scherzer wanted an extension before he agreed to waive his 10-5 rights in order to accept a trade. As I understand it the deal isn’t done yet.
If Trea Turner makes it clear he won’t re-sign with the Dodgers then besides Seager there are Story, Correa and Baez that are all FA. I’m sure Friedman won’t leave the team without a talented shortstop after next year. If Gray and Ruiz become Pedro Martinez and Mike Piazza then it will sting for years, but I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen.
Great short term fix. Time will tell on Ruiz and Gray. Hate to lose Ruiz in particular, but love the move. Now have to get Seager and Turner in the lineup and Bellinger out ASAP.
will be interesting to add Seager, Trea and Max this weekend to the 25 man roster and see who Dodgers cut loose/send down. (Cody?) What a great trade! Not 1 established Major leaguer from the Dodgers in the trade. Prospects are just that. Friedman is something else!
More home runs and less strike outs. Cody is not for sale people never. His appearance in the lineup makes a pitcher think twice and that’s enough for me. Pitcher really work him over as a threat.
@Robert Lewis. You’re right about one thing, the pitchers really work Cody over…
We watched the Dodgers lose another extra inning game tonight in Arizona. The extra inning
set up (with the man on 2nd when the inning starts) puts the team in a need to play to get that man on second to score by “strategy” to move the runner into scoring position using speed, bunting,
stealing bases etc. The Dodgers are terrible at situational hitting, running etc. and it shows in its’ extra inning record.