Why the Colorado Rockies could be huge beneficiaries of the Washington Nationals-Los Angeles Dodgers trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner

Jeff Passan was the first to report the massive news that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals are “finalizing” a deal that would send right-handed starting pitcher Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner to the Dodgers. If it is completed, it will undoubtedly be the biggest trade of the 2021 trade deadline. It will also have a huge impact on the Colorado Rockies in a big way

With Max Scherzer and Trea Turner going to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the asking price for Jon Gray and Trevor Story will go up for the Colorado Rockies

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The Colorado Rockies could be a huge beneficiary from the Washington Nationals trading Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers are currently three games back of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West and for the best record in all of baseball. However, the Giants have not made a move at the trade deadline, as of this publication.

If a deal goes through, the Los Angeles Dodgers will become the favorites to win the West. As a result, the San Francisco Giants will have to make a move a the trade deadline.

The Giants have had a great starting pitching staff thus far on the season but they are one of three teams that have been heavily linked to Jon Gray, as our colleagues at Around The Foghorn, FanSided’s site for the San Francisco Giants, noted earlier today.

The Giants have a more obvious need for Trevor Story, as we noted in this article on Wednesday. Shortstop Brandon Crawford has since been activated off the injured list but the Giants are without third baseman Evan Longoria due to injury and second baseman Donovan Solano has had a down year. Story would likely slot into one of those spots.

Other teams that missed out on Scherzer will also be more willing to give the Rockies more of what they want for Jon Gray, who is, arguably, the second-best starting pitcher on the market after Scherzer.

If the Rockies play their cards right and don’t overplay their hand or fold, they could be the biggest beneficiaries of the Dodgers deal for Scherzer and Turner by getting a good return for Jon Gray and Trevor Story. But they must play their hand right in the next 19 hours.