The hidden gem

The Washington Nationals do the least and gain the most 11 years ago today in a three-team trade also involving the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres.

First, the Rays agree to pick up catcher Rene Rivera, first baseman Jake Bauers and pitcher Burch Smith from the Padres with outfielder Wil Myers, catcher Ryan Hanigan, and pitchers Jose Castillo and Geraldo Reyes going to San Diego.

The trade, which involves 11 players before it ends, also has the Nationals sending only two players – outfielder Steven Sousa Jr. and minor league pitcher Travis Ott – to the Rays with San Diego then sending serviceable starting pitcher Joe Ross to the Nationals, along with a previously agreed upon “player to be named later.”

The convoluted deal formally finishes six months later when the Padres send that “player to be named later” – a Class AA shortstop – to the Nationals.

The player to be named later — future All-Star Trea Turner

The minor leaguer?

That would be Trea Turner, who quickly develops into a top-of-the-order focal point both of Washington’s offense and defense.

Since reaching the majors in August 2015, Turner is batting .297 and averaging 196 hits, 111 runs scored, 24 homers, 82 runs batted in and 40 stolen bases over a full, 162-game season.

In that time, none of the other 10 players in the trade comes remotely close to matching Turner’s All-Star productivity, which for the next eight seasons will be with the Philadelphia Phillies, who sign Turner as a free agent after the 2022 season.

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