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★★★
In a season that has been filled with disappointing teams, the Nationals stand above everyone as the most disappointing in the game. Worse than the Red Sox, Mariners, Padres, Indians, Tigers and White Sox, Washington was supposed to be baseball’s best team. Instead, they’ve hit a massive slump in the second half and have now called upon top prospect Trea Turner to hopefully provide some much-needed spark, just the latest promotion in a year full of them.
Turner is an outstanding prospect, one who can do a little bit of everything on the field. He’s got a solid bat, can play good defense up the middle and absolutely flies on the basepaths. He was the famous player to be named later in the Wil Myers deal last offseason. Despite everyone knowing he would be heading to Washington, baseball’s archaic rules mandated that he stayed in San Diego’s farm system for half the season. It became a big enough story that MLB would eventually change the rule, with the new one being called the "Trea Turner Rule."
The Nationals, meanwhile, add Turner to a crowded infield, albeit a struggling one. With Anthony Rendon, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and Yunel Escobar, one wonders how much Turner will actually be able to play. With that being said, if the youngster hits well enough, Matt Williams will find a way to get him in the lineup every day. The first game of the Turner era did not go as planned, with the Nationals falling 10-3 to Milwaukee. They’re now five games behind the Mets in the NL East and 9.5 games back in the Wild Card race.
- Mike Fiers had an historic Friday night and is off to a decent start in his Astros career.
- Yoenis Cespedes put up his own historic numbers with his new Mets team, becoming just the 12th player in MLB history to finish with five hits, four runs, three home runs and seven RBI.
- After other leagues have had major problems with these issues, MLB released a comprehensive new policy for domestic violence on Friday.
- Cardinals Devil Magic has created another great rotation in 2015. Is it one of the best ever?
- Another fan was struck by a foul ball and had to be taken to the hospital. Tigers players want to know what it will take for MLB to better protect fans.
- Mark Shapiro has been with the Cleveland organization since 1992, but now there are rumors he could be heading north of the border this winter.
- Did we jump the gun declaring the end of Justin Verlander’s career?
- In 2000, Coors Field was the epitome of a hitter’s park, but one time a catcher pitched and managed to win the game.
- The Royals have all but wrapped up a playoff spot, but what players could they add to make them more dangerous in October?
- Boston desperately needs help in the bullpen. Unfortunately, that hasn’t exactly been Dave Dombrowski’s strong suit.
- What are the chances that Colorado comes out on top in the Troy Tulowitzki deal? Hint: Not great.
- There’s some talk of the Reds needing to “retool,” but that’s just delaying an inevitable tear-down and rebuild of the team.
- The Orioles are right in the thick of the playoff race, but they need to do something about Miguel Gonzalez.
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