BLOCKBUSTER: Dodgers Swoop In To Pull Off Massive Deal For Max Scherzer & Trea Turner from Nationals

 

In a stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers have rushed in and stolen Max Scherzer from under the San Diego Padres' noses. And they get All-Star Trea Turner to boot! In return, the Nationals get 4 prime prospects. 

BREAKING: The Dodgers are finalizing a deal to acquire star right-hander Max Scherzer and star shortstop Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals for a massive prospect haul, sources tell ESPN. The blockbuster of blockbusters is going to happen.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021

The #Dodgers never lost faith all day, believing they could acquire Max Scherzer, but to get shortstop Trea Turner, too, wow.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2021

Several hours earlier, it appeared the San Diego Padres were ready to pull the trigger on Scherzer, having agreed with the Washington Nationals on the players that would switch hands. 

But then along came the Dodgers. And they blew everything up. Not only do they acquire the 3-time Cy Young Award winner and 8-time All-Star Scherzer, but also Turner, one of the top hitters in all of baseball. Turner is hitting .320, with a chance at a 30-40 season (HR-SB). 

He's a shortstop by trade, a position that's currently filled by Corey Seager for the Dodgers, as he's returning from an injury this week. Word is that Turner will play 2nd base for LA for the rest of the season, then presumably shift over to short for 2022 as Seager becomes a free agent after the season. 

The Dodgers now boast a starting rotation Big 3 of Scherzer, Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw, making them the clear favorites in any playoff series. 

The San Francisco Giants still lead the NL West by 2 games, and the Padres are close behind in 3rd, but this move gives the Dodgers a big edge going forward. 

The package the Nationals get in return consists of: C Keibert Ruiz, one of the top catching prospects in baseball, RHP Josiah Gray, a pitcher with electric stuff who joined the Dodgers earlier this month, and OF Donovan Casey, and RHP Gerardo Carrillo.

Photo Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports