Trea Turner Finally Permitted to Play in Washington's Organization

Major League Baseball rule 3(b)(6) previously stated that a drafted player cannot be assigned or traded to another team until one year after he signs his first contract. The following principle had been around for many years, but was revised this May due to an unprecedented situation caused by a three-team trade last December.

The agreement was between the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and Tampa Bay Rays, and involved the talents of 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Myers, who was moved from Tampa Bay to San Diego, young outfield prospect Steven Souza Jr., who was sent from Washington to Tampa Bay, and a shortstop six months removed from college baseball action named Trea Turner. According to the previously mentioned rule, Turner would have to spend spring training and more than one-third of his 2015 season in San Diego's organization despite his contract being with Washington.

Jeff Berry, the agent of MLB.com's fifty-fourth top prospect, tried to rectify the situation and get Major League Baseball to allow his client to suit up for the club that owned his rights, but his arguing was to no avail. Therefore this season, the former NC State star has been a member of the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the Padres. Never again will he suit up for them though as today marked the one year anniversary of the signing of his first contract after being chosen with the thirteenth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.

The twenty-one year old Turner posted the tremendous statline of a .322 average with five home runs, thirteen doubles, thirty-five runs batted in, and eleven stolen bases in fifty-eight Texas League games. In addition, he has even made himself a likely selection for the 2015 All-Star Futures Game in Cincinnati. Despite the facts, the Nationals have decided to keep the future of their middle infield at the level of Double-A rather than at Triple-A Syracuse. Nevertheless, it must finally feel good for Turner to suit up for HIS team rather than the one that dealt him last offseason.