MLB trade grade: Dodgers add Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in deadline blockbuster

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of acquiring Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals at the deadline. But who really wins?

The Padres were rumored to be close to landing Scherzer this afternoon, but evidently those talks either fell through or were usurped by a Dodgers offer that includes top prospect capital.

Scherzer, along with Turner, are two of the best players at their respective positions in the sport. The 37-year-old Scherzer hits free agency this coming offseason, while Turner is due arbitration after this season and could quite possibly be looking for a long-term deal. The Dodgers aren’t cash-strapped, and they’re fine figuring that all out later.

MLB news: Who won the Nationals-Dodgers trade?

Well, it certainly wasn’t the Padres, who were robbed a potential ace at the wire.

Los Angeles Dodgers: A

I mean, could it be anything else? The Dodgers have a capable shortstop in Corey Seager, who is recovering from injury. What Dave Roberts plans to do with both of these capable shortstops remains to be seen, but Turner is an elite hitter who can make a difference defensively as well.

Scherzer, meanwhile, was the most necessary addition. He wanted to play on the West coast, and the Dodgers are missing an ace. Clayton Kershaw is injured, and the rotation is looking a little thin at the moment. Add in Scherzer, and suddenly they’re playoff-ready. It was always that simple.

The Dodgers full return remains to be seen, but getting two players the caliber of Turner and Scherzer — especially if the latter is open to re-signing in the City of Angels — is worth selling the farm.

Washington Nationals: B

It’s tough to argue with the Nats prospect haul, which is likely to include “Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray and others” per MLB insider Jon Heyman. But selling on Turner feels unwarranted given his age and status in the game. If the Nationals plan on contending in the years to come, why trade away a 28-year-old shortstop in his prime? It doesn’t make much sense.

Ruiz and Gray constitute as the Dodgers Godfather offer. They’re LA’s top-2 prospects, and both are within the top-50 on MLB Pipeline’s prospects rankings. The fact that there is more included in that trade is absolutely baffling.

The Nationals farm system should be stacked now. Both Gray and Ruiz are near MLB-ready. But this team won a World Series just two years ago. Now they’re just…giving up?

The future is bright for the Nationals nonetheless, but they may have opted to rebuild a little earlier than necessary.