Dodgers: 3 players most affected by Scherzer-Turner blockbuster

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Gavin Lux #9 and Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers wait at second after a 9-6 win over the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Gavin Lux #9 and Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers wait at second after a 9-6 win over the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

MLB could extend the trade deadline another week and the Los Angeles Dodgers still would have come out on top after their blockbuster deal with the Washington Nationals that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the West Coast.

For a second there, everyone thought the New York Yankees and their acquisitions of Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo were going to steal the show.

Nope, just the defending champs turning the baseball world upside down again. They’re used to this.

Andrew Friedman stuck it to his own division, too.

The Padres were nearing a deal for Scherzer and he swooped in to spoil that for AJ Preller, who was desperately looking for starting pitching reinforcements. And what are the Giants to do? They’re in first place but they need to respond in some way … but they’ll have a tough time because the market is becoming barren.

All good news, right? Well, kind of.

The Dodgers also may have disrupted order within their own clubhouse, though. Nothing detrimental, but it’s clear a few messages were sent to a number of incumbent players who may or may not have a future with the club. Who are they?

These three Dodgers will be most affected by the Scherzer-Turner blockbuster.

3. Trevor Bauer

The MOST obvious. Trevor Bauer may not throw another pitcher for the Dodgers as he’s currently being investigated for some heinous sexual assault allegations. His administrative leave has been extended to Aug. 6 … and you can probably bet it’ll be that way for the rest of 2021.

With this deal, it’s clear the Dodgers are acting as if Bauer’s done for the year. Would Scherzer sign an extension? Maybe. LA would certainly be open to it. And if that’s the case, the Dodgers would fully be planning for life without Bauer.

From a psychological standpoint? This trade is no doubt playing a role in helping the fan base forget all about Bauer, who’s slowly been erased from the organization ever since early July. The Dodgers removed all of his gear from the team store. They cancelled his bobblehead night six weeks prior to it happening. Everyone’s been mum on his situation. Reports suggest none of the players want him back.

The Dodgers avoided having to constantly re-open this ugly wound by shifting the headlines with a monstrous acquisition in the form of a former World Series champ. Would’ve just been easier if they hadn’t signed Bauer, though. He came with enough inappropriate baggage before

Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Gavin Lux #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Gavin Lux

Does Gavin Lux have a true long-term fit on the Dodgers? Probably … but that would mean waiting it out to see what that fit exactly is, and the defending world champs might not want to take that route … especially now that he’s injured.

Lux has been incredibly underwhelming at the plate in 2021 despite being surrounded by All-Star-caliber talent. His defense? Totally adequate. Nothing that’ll blow you away. And that’s a bit of a problem because if there’s trouble producing at the plate, then the defense usually has to be pristine.

Now, with Turner in town and Seager on the mend, there’s going to be a significant shift. Turner has experience at second base and center field. There are a number of scenarios to consider.

  • Muncy at first, Turner at second, Seager at short
  • Bellinger at first, Muncy at second, Seager at short
  • Turner in center field, Seager at short, Muncy at second, Bellinger at first

Where does Lux fit in? There might be room for him in 2022 if Seager leaves and Turner shifts over to shortstop but what’s going to happen this year? Perhaps he could be a bench player and fill in as needed, but wouldn’t the Dodgers be better off using him as trade bait before the deadline? They could wait for the offseason for that, too.

However, consider Lux gone if Seager returns in 2022. There’s no way that’ll work.

Infielder Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Infielder Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Corey Seager

Speak of the devil! Did the trade for Turner send a message to Seager and Boras? Did the Dodgers just turn the tables in the negotiation process with their World Series MVP on the injured list?

Turner is signed through 2022, so in the event Seager leaves, LA has a top-tier shortstop for next year whether Seager stays or goes. That gives the Dodgers an opportunity to sign Turner to a long-term deal since they have more time to convince him to stay on board.

This really is more complicated than it seems, though, because, unless the Dodgers plan on using Turner out of position for the rest of 2021 and all of 2022, Seager’s fit becomes more of a question mark. Let’s face it, Justin Turner isn’t moving off of third base. He was an All-Star this year.

Are the Dodgers banking on the universal DH? If so … that could work! Maybe Seager splits time at third with JT and is utilized as the backup shortstop in case Trea suffers an injury. Nonetheless, we’re talking about the perfect scenario that doesn’t exist because we have no idea if the universal DH will be agreed upon in the CBA.

At the very best, Seager’s future in LA hangs in the balance after this blockbuster deal simply because he’s a free agent and the latest star import’s primary position is … his. Could be really dramatic. Could be completely fluid because the Dodgers have the money to pay for everything and anything, especially with all the cash they have coming off the books coupled with Bauer’s contract situation possibly saving them even more.

This will be an intense waiting game for Dodgers fans.

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