Washington Nationals News: Nats officially acquire SS Trea Turner
By Pablo Roa
Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Get caught up on the latest Nats news with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Paul Hagen discusses shortstop Trea Turner, whom the Nationals finally (officially) acquired from the San Diego Padres today. As Hagen notes, Turner was the player-to-be-named-later in the three-team trade that also brought Joe Ross to the Nationals and sent Steven Souza Jr. to the Tampa Bay Rays.
While it’s been known for a long time that Turner was the PTBNL in the deal, it’s great to finally see him join the team and the Nationals’ minor league system. Turner couldn’t join the team until now because of an MLB rule that prohibited players from being traded within a year of being drafted. MLB changed that rule after the trade, but Turner and the Nationals still had to wait until the shortstop was eligible.
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Now, however, Turner is officially a National and there are plenty of reasons to be excited. The young shortstop is one of the most promising infield prospects in the game and he may very well be the Nationals’ shortstop of the future, with Ian Desmond set to hit free agency after this season.
It’s not yet known what minor league level the Nationals will assign him to, but there’s no reason to believe Turner can’t climb the farm system quickly over the next couple of years.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell discusses why he believes the Nationals must add a proven arm to the bullpen, no matter the cost.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth the read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Nats officially acquire SS Trea Turner
Last December, the Padres, Rays and Nationals were able to work out the details of a three-team, 11-player trade. The centerpiece of the deal was outfielder Wil Myers, who went from Tampa Bay to San Diego. All of the contracts were duly transferred to the proper teams.
Except one.
When the figurative smoke cleared, the Nationals were still due to receive a player to be named. Six months later, as it turned out. On Sunday, it was announced that Washington would be receiving Trea Turner, the North Carolina State shortstop who was San Diego’s 2014 first-round Draft choice, the 13th player selected overall.
“We’re happy to complete this trade and add an exceptional talent to our fold,” said Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo said. “From the outset, this was a complex deal, but we thought it was one that would better our organization for the present as well as the long term. That’s always our goal. We look forward to getting Trea into our Minor League System.” Read full article here.
Why the Washington Nationals must fix their bullpen, no matter the cost
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
“Help wanted!”
No, that’s not strong enough.
“Bullpen assistance desperately needed in Washington, pronto!”
That’s not quite the ticket either.
“Absolutely, positively got to have a proven relief pitcher, ASAP. Will overpay in trade. Contact Nats GM Mike Rizzo immediately. (Psssst, don’t tell Ted.)”
Perfect.
Sometimes you have to lose a trade to preserve a season. That’s where the Washington Nationals are now. Make the Nats an offer — because they probably can’t refuse. Read full article here.