The Nationals’ Trea Turner, whom Baseball America ranks as the sport’s fifth-best prospect, rejoined the club Friday when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman landed on the disabled list with a strained left rib. The middle infielder hasn’t slotted into the Nats’ lineup, though, which is no surprise in light of manager Dusty Baker’s comments on Friday. “Right now, there’s no real place for Trea to take,” Baker said, per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. “This isn’t a tryout camp. This is try to play the best team overall to win the game and win the pennant. Hopefully Trea will be a part of that while he’s here.” Turner has garnered some center field experience at the Triple-A level, though Baker is wary of putting him out there in the majors at this point. “I’m sure in time, he’ll show us all, but right now, he’ll probably remain in the infield unless I have to make a move out there in the outfield,” stated Baker. Between second baseman Daniel Murphy and shortstop Danny Espinosa, the Nats have an outstanding middle infield, so it doesn’t appear Turner will make much of an impact if those two remain healthy. The 23-year-old has batted an excellent .302/.370/.471 with 36 extra-base hits and 25 stolen bases in the minors this season.
More from three other NL cities:
- The Diamondbacks and closer Brad Ziegler might only be amid a separation, not a divorce, after they traded him to Boston on Saturday. While breaking the news of the trade to Ziegler, the D-backs informed the soon-to-be 37-year-old that they’d be interested in bringing him back during free agency, reports FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (on Twitter). General manager Dave Stewart expressed a desire last month to extend Ziegler’s contract, so it’s not surprising that Arizona might want to sign him in a few months. In the meantime, “With no real certainty of whether we’re going to be able to bring him back on a multi-year deal, we just decided we’d be able to get some pretty good prospects for him,” Stewart said regarding the trade (via Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic). Ziegler joined the Diamondbacks in 2011 and ultimately recorded an impressive ERA (2.49), sky-high ground-ball rate (69.3 percent), and 62 saves across 335 2/3 innings with the franchise.
- Newly-minted All-Star Bartolo Colon says he wants to pitch one more year, as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo tweets. Whether that will be with the Mets remains to be seen, but the timeless wonder has been a godsend for New York thus far in 2016. Colon, who will turn 44 next May, has put up a 3.28 ERA and 1.55 BB/9 in 98 2/3 innings. The pending free agent is currently earning $7.25MM.
- The Pirates’ recent revival will likely erase the chances of right-handed closer Mark Melancon switching teams prior to the Aug. 1 trade deadline, according to Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The free agent-to-be seemed like a prime trade candidate earlier this summer, but the Bucs have gone 11-3 since sitting a season-worst 34-39 on June 23 and have climbed to within 2.5 games of a Wild Card spot. Melancon is amid yet another stellar season, with a sparkling 1.26 ERA, 8.07 K/9 and 2.02 BB/9 in 35 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old has also converted 27 of 28 save opportunities.
Forgot to slip in the standard “there’s no chance the Pirates extend him a qualifying offer” between the 1.26 ERA thing and the on-pace-for-50 saves thing.
I truly doubt the Pirates would commit to giving a one-inning reliever the most lucrative one-year contract in baseball history. There’s no reliever ever who has made that much for a single season. Not even Mariano, although he was close.
Regardless, the Pirates should float Melancon on the trade market. He is a pending free agent so why not see if you can grab a decent haul.
Do-Do-Do-Dooo!!!
Totally agree. I am pretty sure with their rotation they know they won’t be serious contenders this year. If they can get a player to contribute next year I say move him. If they are shopping Niese and deal him and then you get a healthy Cole back your left with a bad year of Liriano, a shaky at best Locke and then 2 rookies. Not serious contenders this year.
they should be shopping Niese, Liriano and Locke and keep at least one of them.
Getting rid of Niese and Liriano will free up a lot of cash (relative to the Pirates budget)
Glasnow, Tailon, Kuhl, Locke, Cole along with Brault, Boscan, Nicasio and Voglesong for spot starts and depth shouldn’t be any worse that what they have in the first half
Really the Pirates can get away with a 4 man rotation for quite a bit of the second half IF they had too.. though probably not a good idea if they’re watching innings for the rookies. In the play offs you do not need a 5 man rotation
the Mets had a couple rookies in their rotation last year, the Pirates are not the Mets for sure, but not impossible that they step up and power a run into the play offs.
I agree, Float him out there see if someone bites.. but it would take quite an over pay to do it… like a near ready Top prospect and some cash…. use that cash to extend Feliz a year or two.
But i doubt anyone would do that for a rental unless they where desperate.