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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 great blow from their management by reaching an agreement to acquire two players who can help them repeat with the title, including one of the best pitchers of this generation.
Barring an unexpected last minute twist, the Dodgers will host Max Scherzer, the three-time winner of the Cy trophy, from the Washington Nationals Young , and also star infielder Trea Turner.
The final details of the mega change that some experts have described as the largest that has occurred in the middle of an MLB season were discussed this Friday before the cut-off time to make changes.
According to multiple The reports that indicated from Thursday that the transaction was very close to finalization, the Dodgers will send four prospects to Washington : catcher Keibert Ruiz, right pitcher Josiah Gray, Mexican right pitcher Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey.
Ruiz, a Venezuelan of years, and Gray are considered the two most valuable jewels of the Dodgers organization.
Max Scherzer can be the key arm for another World Series
Scherzer practically said goodbye to the Nationals on Thursday after beating Philadelphia 3-1 to improve to 8-4 and 2 .76 In the season. Right pitcher is 37 years , but he is still one of the best in the Big Top.
“Mad Max ”Will join Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Julio Urías in the Dodgers’ rotation. His acquisition was perhaps necessary for the Dodgers after the e 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 it is to prevent San Francisco or San Diego from taking over your services.
Turner, from 37 years, who regularly plays 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, which is why 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 campaign ended today, Dodgers and Padres would have to play a playoff game to life or death , a scenario that no one in Los Angeles wants to see.