Report: What Trea Turner Has Told Friends About Potential Trade
The Washington Nationals could be major sellers as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches. Among the big names that could be on the move: superstars Max Scherzer and Trea Turner.
There have been persistent rumors about Scherzer, one of the greatest starting pitchers of this generation. He is 37 and on the final year of a contract, but he’s once again having a great year. He reportedly prefers a move to the West Coast, with the three main NL West contenders—the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants—all reportedly expected to be involved.
Turner, one of the league’s best shortstops, has the opposite request, per a new report. Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that Turner, a Florida native, has told friends that he prefers to be dealt to an East Coast squad.
Turner is under the Washington Nationals’ arbitration control for one more year, after agreeing to a $13 million salary for 2021. He hits free agency in 2023. That is significant, as Nightengale says that Turner is unlikely to sign long term with a West Coast team, even though they are some of the biggest buyers out there right now.
While the Washington #Nats are listening on offers for All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, he’s telling friends that he unlikely would sign an extension with a West Coast team (he lives in Florida) and has no interest in switching positions.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 28, 2021
Trea Turner was pulled from Tuesday’s Washington Nationals game in the first inning, leading to rampant trade speculation. Unfortunately for Turner, the reality was a bit more dire: he tested positive for COVID-19.
It is unclear how that news will impact the market for Turner leading up to the trade deadline, which is at 4 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon. One has to imagine there will still be plenty of teams willing to wait it out and pay a premium for one of the sport’s best shortstops.
On the year, Turner is batting .322 with an .890 OPS. He has 18 home runs and 49 RBIs in 96 games for Washington.
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