Dodgers land Scherzer, Turner from Nationals at busy deadline
The World LOS ANGELES —
Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a monster deal for ace Max Scherzer and All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, getting the dynamic duo from the Washington Nationals shortly before Friday’s trade deadline.
Washington acquired a pair of rookies, right-hander Josiah Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz, and two minor leaguers, righty Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey.
Scherzer had been given permission to speak to the Dodgers to see if he would waive his right to veto any trade, a power he had as a 10-year veteran who has been with his team for at least five years.
“Today is heart wrenching as we say goodbye to two of the most accomplished players and two of the best people in our team’s history,” Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in a statement.
The deal came with the Dodgers three games behind NL West-leading San Francisco. Los Angeles owns the top spot in the wild-card race, 2 1/2 games ahead of San Diego.
The Nationals, who have fallen out of playoff contention, were equally active, making several trades in 24 hours.
Scherzer is 8-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts this season, and also started the All-Star Game for the National League this month.
Scherzer posted a win for the Nationals on Thursday, when he pitched six innings of one-run ball at Philadelphia in the first game of a doubleheader.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner and eighttime All-Star, Scherzer joins a deep and talented pitching staff that includes Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler,
Julio Urías, David Price and more.
Scherzer has a $35 million salary in the final season of a $210 million, seven-year contract and can become a free agent after the World Series. No doubt, the Dodgers are looking right now at far they can go this year.
Turner is a force all over the field, batting .322 with 18 home runs and 49 RBs, along with 21 stolen bases.
Turner is currently out of action after testing positive for COVID-19.
The 28-year-old Turner was All-Star for the first time this season.
Turner is a career .300 hitter in seven seasons who also has started in center field and second base in the majors. That would certainly appeal to the Dodgers, who employ a lot of versatile players.
He is earning $13 million this season, is eligible for arbitration next winter and can become a free agent after the 2022 World Series.
Mets get Báez, Williams from Cubs
The New York Mets acquired flashy shortstop Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams from the Chicago
Cubs on Friday for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Báez, a two-time All-Star and 2020 Gold Glove winner, gives the NL East leaders an immediate fill-in for injured buddy Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Lindor is sidelined with a strained oblique and isn’t expected back until at least mid-to-late August.
Báez, who can become a free agent after the season, is batting .248 with 22 home runs and 65 RBIs.
When Lindor returns, Báez could move to second base or third.
Williams is 4-2 with a 5.06 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) this season, his first with the Cubs after spending his first five years in Pittsburgh.
White Sox get closer Kimbrel from Cubs
The Chicago White Sox acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Cubs on Friday, a move that should give the AL Central leaders a fearsome bullpen for their playoff push.
The White Sox already had one of baseball’s best closers in All-Star Liam Hendriks. Now the South Siders add Kimbrel, who has a 0.49 ERA and 23 saves in 25 opportunities for the Cubs this season. Kimbrel ranks ninth in history with 371 saves in his 12 years in the majors.
The White Sox paid quite a price to get him: They sent second baseman Nick Madrigal, a budding star who is out for the season with a torn right hamstring, to the Cubs along with righthanded reliever Codi Heuer.
Giants land Cubs slugger Bryant
The San Francisoco Giants added one of the most coveted bats on the market, acquiring Cubs infielder/ outfielder Kris Bryant just ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Outfielder Alexander Canario nd right-hander Caleb Kilian head to the Cubs in exchange for Bryant.
Bryant, who captured 2016 National League MVP honors after leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years, earned his fourth career All-Star nod and is batting .267 with an .861 OPS and 18 homers through 93 games this year.
Indians trade OF Rosario to Braves
With the NL East still up for grabs, the Atlanta Braves needed another quality hitter.
The Indians had one to offer.
Cleveland made its second big trade in two days, sending outfielder Eddie Rosario to the Braves for infielder Pablo Sandoval on Friday.
Rosario signed a one-year, $8 million free agent contract this winter with the Indians, who essentially signaled surrender in the AL Central on Thursday by dealing second baseman Cesar Hernandez to the first-place White Sox for a minor league pitcher.
The Braves also acquired outfielder Adam Duvall from Miami on Friday.