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They are the defending champions of the World Series and they already have the roster considered the best in baseball man for man, but they Los Angeles Dodgers have taken a big hit by acquiring two players who can help them repeat the title, including one of the best pitchers of this generation.
The Dodgers received from the Washington Nationals Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young trophy winner , and also the star infielder Trea Turner.
The mega change that some experts have called the largest to have occurred in the middle of a season of MLB closed this Friday before the cutoff time to make changes between teams.
Dodgers send four prospects to Washington : catcher Keibert Ruiz, the right pitcher Josiah Gray, Mexican right pitcher Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey.
Ruiz, a Venezuelan from 23 years, and Gray were regarded as the two jewels of the Dodgers organization’s most valuable prospects.
Max Scherzer may be the key arm for another World Series
Scherzer said goodbye to the Nationals on Thursday after beating Philadelphia 3-1 to improve to 8-4 and 2. 76 of earned runs in the season. Right pitcher is 37 years , but he is still one of the best in the Big Top.
“Mad Max ”Will join the Dodgers’ rotation with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Julio Urías, among others . His acquisition was perhaps necessary for the Dodgers after the Trevor Bauer sexual assault scandal -another Cy Young- who keeps him inactive while the case is investigated. Bauer may not return.
For Los Angeles, acquiring Scherzer was as important to what he brings to the pitching rotation as well as for preventing San Francisco or San Diego from using their services.
Turner, from 28 years, he plays regularly as a shortstop but can do it at second base or even outfield. Hit for. 322 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs, plus 21 stolen bases, performance for which he was in the All-Star Game . Currently on the COVID list – 19 after testing positive this week.
The Dodgers’ payroll rises to about $ 300 millions of dollars
According to the ESPN report , acquire Scherzer and Turner, who were part of the Nationals title in 2019, it will cost the Los Angeles club $ 17 additional millions of dollars this year in pro-rated salaries to raise your payroll from 2021 to $ 285 million, almost $ 85 million more than the New York Yankees .
On Thursday the Dodgers also announced the acquisition of left-handed pitcher Danny. Duffy (4-3, 2. 51 ) from the Kansas City Royals to strengthen their pitching staff.
The Dodgers are second in their division with a record of 62 – 42 3 games behind the leader San Francisco, who this week won a series of three matches. San Diego is 5.5 behind the Giants.
If the season ended today, the Dodgers and Padres would have to play a playoff game to life or death , a scene that no one in Los Angeles wants to see.