In return to D.C., Dodgers and Trea Turner fondly recall last year’s blockbuster trade

The thought by no means actually crossed Trea Turner’s thoughts.

As he drove residence from Philadelphia final July, compelled into self-isolation after testing optimistic for COVID-19 throughout a sequence towards the Phillies, Turner didn’t know that he had simply performed his closing sport for the Washington Nationals.

Lower than every week away from final yr’s commerce deadline, the All-Star hadn’t severely entertained the likelihood he’d be traded by the one group he’d performed for in his MLB profession.

“I by no means thought it will occur,” Turner stated.

Nearly a yr later, Turner was welcomed again to Washington as a customer Monday night time, returning to Nationals Park with the Dodgers for the primary time since they acquired him in a blockbuster deal final July.

Turner was reflective in his homecoming, if not emotionally sentimental.

He recalled highlights of his Nationals’ tenure — moments large, primarily the group’s 2019 World Sequence championship, and small, similar to each day drives to the ballpark or annual journeys to spring coaching.

He caught up with former coaches and teammates. He tipped his cap to the group throughout a pregame video tribute.

“It’s enjoyable reminiscing, watching all these movies, seeing the nice reminiscences they used up there,” Turner stated afterward. “It’s so way back, it appears like.”

Certainly, within the span of simply 10 months, a lot for Turner has modified. He moved 3,000 miles away. His burgeoning profession diverged down a brand new path.

And in his first full season with in L.A., he’s centered on undertaking one thing his new group couldn’t do final yr — even after a transformational commerce that the once-apprehensive shortstop has come to understand.

“I don’t assume it was a nasty factor by any means,” Turner stated. “As a result of I resulted in a extremely great spot, with a extremely good group, and an opportunity to win extra World Sequence.”

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At the moment final yr, the Nationals nonetheless thought they might be title contenders once more.

They struggled within the first couple months of the 2021 season, however then obtained sizzling in June, shifting two video games over .500 barely a month earlier than the deadline.

“At one level, it felt like we might have made a run,” stated Daniel Hudson, a reliever on the group who signed with the Dodgers this offseason.

However then, the underside fell out. It began with a sweep by the hands of the Dodgers to start July. It spiraled into an 8-18 stretch that dropped the Nationals out of the playoff image shortly after the All-Star break.

By the point Turner obtained COVID — he was eliminated in the midst of a sport towards the Phillies on July 27, 4 days earlier than the deadline — rumors have been starting to swirl about each precious asset on the group, the 28-year-old shortstop included.

Turner first noticed his identify talked about in reviews the day earlier than however wasn’t certain what to make of it.

In contrast to a number of pending free brokers — together with Max Scherzer, Hudson and 5 others who have been finally dealt — Turner was underneath group management for an additional season and a half. And whereas he and the group hadn’t made progress in contract extension talks, he wasn’t seeking to depart.

“I didn’t essentially know what to imagine,” Turner stated. “These few days have been forwards and backwards. I’m getting traded. Ah, no, I’m not. All you mainly have is Twitter to have a look at. It was form of a wild trip.”

The Dodgers approached the deadline in a really totally different place.

With Trevor Bauer on administrative depart, their pitching workers battling accidents, and their lineup needing yet one more large bat up high, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman knew the group was going to be searching for top-end expertise.

And the Nationals shortly emerged as probably the most attractive commerce accomplice.

The golf equipment’ preliminary talks centered on Scherzer solely, Friedman stated. The Nationals needed high catching prospect Keibert Ruiz in return. The Dodgers balked at such a excessive value for a rental participant, even one with three Cy Younger awards.

Because the week progressed, nevertheless, Turner’s identify entered the dialogue.

At first, Friedman stated it felt like a protracted shot. “Was not essentially that optimistic about that, or hopeful,” he stated not too long ago. However then, “they got here again and stated they have been prepared to interact alongside these traces. Then we form of all set to work on attempting to place the deal collectively.”

There have been complexities. Along with Ruiz, high pitching prospect Josiah Grey additionally grew to become a part of the package deal. As a result of Scherzer was a 10-year veteran who’d spent 5 seasons with the Nationals, he needed to approve any deal.

The day earlier than the deadline introduced one other sudden twist. Quickly after the Dodgers submitted one proposal to the Nationals, a report surfaced that the San Diego Padres had already reached a deal to accumulate Scherzer.

“For about half a second after I noticed that report, I obtained nervous,” Friedman stated.

The report shortly proved to be incorrect, although.

The Padres finally pivoted to a smaller deal for Hudson and shortly pale from playoff competition.

“They have been considering they have been gonna get a Cy Younger winner; as an alternative, they get a center reliever,” Hudson stated, with a self-deprecating chortle. “I can perceive why guys could be dissatisfied.”

The Dodgers, in the meantime, finalized their commerce for Scherzer and Turner by the top of the day, including the ultimate two items to a group they hoped could be able to a second-consecutive title run.

“I bear in mind speaking to Max proper earlier than the commerce, and proper after,” Turner stated. “He was tremendous excited, which made me be ok with it. As a result of I didn’t know what to anticipate.”

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A yr later, the ultimate grade for the blockbuster commerce stays incomplete.

Whereas Turner and Scherzer helped gas the Dodgers’ sturdy end to the common season, the membership did not win its division. Didn’t defend its World Sequence championship. Didn’t re-sign Scherzer this winter or lock up Turner, a free agent after this season, to a long-term extension.

The Dodgers additionally misplaced top-end prospects in Ruiz, who has gotten off to a powerful begin in his first full MLB season, and Grey, already a fixture within the beginning rotation who will face his former group for the primary time Tuesday night time.

However throughout this week’s sequence in Washington, the Dodgers’ first assembly with the Nationals since final yr’s commerce, there are not any regrets — not from Turner, who has continued to comfortably settle in to his new residence, nor from the group, which was in a position to construct one other star-studded roster this yr understanding Turner could be on the coronary heart of the lineup.

“Yeah, we didn’t win the World Sequence final yr, however I felt our group gave ourselves an opportunity,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “And this yr, we have now a participant now in Trea who’s our on a regular basis shortstop. I believe he was a win-win for everyone.”

Whereas he completed final season on a tear, successful the NL batting title and ending fifth in MVP voting, Turner had changes to make.

The group’s extremely detailed inner course of, from each day scouting reviews to overarching analytic evaluations, was one thing he’d by no means skilled.

Roberts felt there was some extent final yr when Turner “may need been just a little bit overwhelmed.”

“I’ve to dumb it down just a little bit and never take a look at a lot, as a result of it’s endless,” Turner acknowledged. “However having that info is actually good. After which simply studying to use it, I believe they do job of that right here.”

Even with Turner at the moment main the group in RBIs (32), rating second in batting common (.289) and coming into Tuesday on a 15-game hitting streak, his rising familiarity led Roberts to not too long ago make a hopeful declaration.

“I actually imagine there’s much more in there, so far as efficiency,” the supervisor stated.

Friedman has seen a distinction, as nicely.

“I believe it’s onerous for a star participant to get traded in the midst of a season, to simply depart a scenario and dynamic that helped contribute to them changing into a star participant,” Friedman stated. “I’ve seen, even from spring coaching by way of now, Trea being in a far more snug spot when it comes to interacting with teammates and coaches. It’s been enjoyable watching him get to that degree.”

It’s a lot nearer to the consolation Turner felt with the Nationals, even earlier than they determined to tear their roster down and start to rebuild.

Regardless of their struggles final season, Turner insisted he didn’t need to depart. He envisioned himself enjoying in Washington long-term. Proper up till final yr’s commerce was official, he had a tough time picturing himself wherever else.

“I don’t know if it took some time to return to grips,” he stated Monday, wanting again once more on the blockbuster deal. “I simply assume it caught me just a little off guard.”

Nevertheless, he stated he doesn’t really feel any sick will towards his previous group and tries not to consider what might have been.

A yr faraway from the commerce, he has embraced his new environment in L.A.

No matter doubts he as soon as had about becoming in with the Dodgers have lengthy since pale away.

“I stated it after I was there, I might have liked to play there for the remainder of my profession, and I used to be severe about it,” Turner stated. “However it didn’t work out that approach … Issues occur, issues change. And a variety of instances, they work out for the higher.”

“I believe this one,” he added, “is understanding nicely.”