Max Scherzer, Trea Turner to Be Traded to Dodgers; Nationals Get Prospects

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday they have completed a blockbuster deal to acquire Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals.

On Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the two sides were finalizing the agreement. 

L.A. had reportedly been in a bidding war with the San Diego Padres to land Scherzer. Adding in Turner, a 2021 All-Star and NL stolen base champion in 2018, turns a deal that was already slated to net the Nationals a notable haul into a blockbuster.

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner, is scheduled to enter free agency after this season, while Turner has one more year of arbitration eligibility in 2022 before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. 

In 18 starts this season, Scherzer has compiled a 2.83 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 142 strikeouts and 25 walks in 105 innings—the second-most strikeouts in the NL behind Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler (165). 

Turner, meanwhile, has the second-highest OPS among shortstops (.890) behind only San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr. (1.024). Turner also leads his position group in batting average (.322). 

Los Angeles had a number of prospects to entice a Nationals team that will enter a rebuild by moving two franchise cornerstones. 

MLB Pipeline's Top 100 features three Dodgers, with catcher Ruiz rated the highest at No. 41 and right-handed starter Gray right behind him at No. 42. Ruiz was scratched from Thursday's lineup with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Middle infielder Michael Busch is ranked No. 81.

Los Angeles is locked in a battle for the NL West with the Padres and Giants with San Francisco holding a three-game lead over the Dodgers for first place. The addition of two All-Stars intensifies the arms race in the division.