The Washington Nationals were the third team to help the Wil Myers trade go down between the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres. In sending off two of their prospects, the Nats got two in return who have jumped ahead in the team's rankings.
Washington sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and pitcher Travis Ott to the Rays and received shortstop Trea Turner and pitcher Joe Ross from the Padres. At first glance you'd ask, "Why would they trade two prospects for two prospects?" That's a valid question. The reason being is that Washington has some depth issues, and with this trade, solved them in acquiring two other prospects of their liking.
The 25-year-old Souza is a great talent, which is likely why the Nationals sent him packing. They already have Bryce Harper, Denard Span and Jayson Werth in their outfield and keeping Souza around at his age would merely inhibit his ability to get significant playing time at the professional level. He slashed .350/.432/.590 with 18 home runs, 75 RBIs and 26 stolen bases in 96 games at Triple-A Syracuse. He'll be Myers' replacement in Tampa and likely be the Opening Day starter.
On top of that, Washington has outfielder Michael Taylor, another prospect who is 23 years of age. Baseball America ranks Taylor as the Nationals' No. 2 prospect and had Souza at No. 5 before he was traded. Washington likely figured they were relieving themselves of Souza to get others they needed more, while giving Souza the opportunity to advance his professional career. Taylor spent most of the season at Double-A Harrisburg, during which he batted .313/.396/.539 with 22 home runs, 61 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 98 games. Now the team can wait until Denard Span's contract expires after this season and call Taylor up full-time in 2016.
Washington also sent left-hander Travis Ott to Tampa Bay. The 19-year-old owns a 4-4 record with a 3.96 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 23 games (20 starts) in the minor leagues. His best stint came at Class Short Season A Auburn where he went 1-2 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 10 starts (44 1/3 innings). Although Ott is a promising young starter, he has some time to spend developing before he reaches the majors, and with the departures of Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister seemingly imminent after 2015, the Nationals needed a more seasoned prospect. They got just that in right-hander Joe Ross.
The 21-year-old Ross is the younger brother of Padres' starter Tyson Ross. The right-hander reached Double-A last season and should start there in 2015. San Diego had been taking time with Ross' development, as he slowly progressed from Class Short Season A to Double-A over the course of three seasons. He owns a 15-18 record with a 3.90 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 62 games (60 starts) in the minors and soon became the team's No. 6 ranked prospect when Baseball America updated the list following the trade. Depending on his progression next season, he could reach the MLB by the end of the season or likely by 2016.
Another impending free agent, shortstop Ian Desmond, saw his potential replacement arrive in Washington as well. The Nats acquired shortstop Trea Turner, who was the first round draft pick of the Padres last June. The 21-year-old slashed .323/.406/.448 with 45 runs scored, 24 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 69 games between Class Short Season A Eugene and Class-A Fort Wayne. Turner is known for his speed and adept defensive skills, which potentially have the Nats viewing him as the team's shortstop of the future. Desmond rejected a five-year, $90 million extension prior to the 2014 season and he's likely to be gone after 2015. This means Washington may have to find a short-term solution for 2016 because Turner isn't expected to hit the big leagues until 2017. However, that can change if his development excels over the course of 2015.
So there's the breakdown of the Nationals' side of the trade. It couldn't be more obvious they are working to mend issues they'll have to deal with in the next few seasons, and their additions couldn't have been more appropriate for what they're looking to do.
