The Washington Nationals were involved in a three-team trade this offseason with the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres. Washington sent outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays, who then sent Wil Myers to the Padres. The Nats got a few prospects in return, one of them being Trea Turner.
However, because Turner was selected in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft, the current collective bargaining agreement suggests he could not officially be traded until one year after he signed with the Padres, which was about a week after the draft. The MLB has since changed that mandate, but Turner is still technically the trade's "player to be named later" as he waits to be sent to Washington in a couple of weeks.
The 21-year-old is currently batting .333/.405/.508/.913 with 26 runs scored, 5 home runs, 27 RBIs and 9 stolen bases in 47 games with Double-A San Antonio. It's believed that he'll be the successor to Ian Desmond at some point because the veteran rejected a lucrative contract offer from the Nationals last offseason and is expected to hit free agency after 2015. Turner's development has progressed rapidly since Baseball America released their scouting report on him at the end of last year.
"He has sneaky power to his pull side, but his pro approach will center more on wearing out the gaps and reaching base via hits and walks. If he continues to hit, Turner profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter and dependable shortstop for a contending club."
Could Turner crack the MLB in 2015?
"The Nats likely won't be shy about calling him up if they have a need," writes ESPN Insider Jim Bowden.
"Turner is off to a great start with San Antonio, hitting and playing great defense, and multiple scouts have told me they believe he'll end up being the best player involved in that 11-player deal. He also could allow the Nationals to consider dealing Ian Desmond to the Mets, Padres or Yankees if they can get a significant prospect package in return."
Desmond could be a trade candidate as the deadline approaches because there are a number of clubs (who might be contending at that point) that are in need of a shortstop. The 29-year-old hasn't gotten the job done for Washington, batting just .250/.299/.390 with 24 runs scored, 4 home runs and 15 RBIs in 50 games and committing 13 errors over that span. Perhaps a change of scenery will help.
It's unknown what the Nats' plan is, considering they're one of the favorites to win the World Series and simply may want to keep their current roster intact, but Desmond could provide them a solid return in a trade. It's pretty much guaranteed he won't be re-signing and if he keeps performing at this rate the team will have more options to consider once Anthony Rendon returns from injury.
General manager Mike Rizzo may have a couple of ideas in mind when Turner comes over from San Diego in mid-June.
