Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner unloaded on the media regarding the reported deal sending Mookie Betts to LA.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner lashed out at the media on Saturday, stating:
Here’s a concept. Let trades happen, and then report on them! All these reporters only care about being first. Meanwhile players and their families are emotional wrecks not knowing if they are or aren’t being traded from the only org they’ve known. No one cares who was 1st https://t.co/9GC1DrCiQM
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 8, 2020
His response, coming as a result of the blockbuster Mookie Betts deal reportedly falling through, while understandable, is misguided. It’s a classic case of shooting the messenger.
No one told the media about the deal expecting that it WOULDN’T be reported. Someone wanted the publicity. And if the first reporter that got the tip wouldn’t have reported it, the leaker would’ve found someone who would.
That’s where the ire should be directed. Chances are Boston leaked the news. What better way to try and get more than to get your trade partners fanbase hyped about the new additions, only to attempt to pull the rug out from them at the last minute?
If Los Angeles Dodgers fans really want Betts and David Price, the organization will find a way to cough up more, right? It’s a dirty trick that puts player’s lives in limbo.
MLB and Rob Manfred need to get to the bottom of it. If it goes unchecked, you can bet that it’ll happen again. There’s really no other option.
Unfortunately, the tweet that Turner was responding to, from former New York Met, Josh Satin, misses the mark as an alternative. Satin claimed, “Trades should not be allowed to be rescinded after they have been reported”.
It’s a simplistic remark, that makes sense when you don’t think too hard about it. But what happens when a team reports utter fiction to the media? It’s been reported does it have to go through?
What standard do you implement so it’s not pure fiction? If the teams talked about maybe executing the trade is that enough? The current system isn’t broken, it just needs some teeth to make it work.
There’s only one way to keep this from happening again. Manfred needs to find out who leaked details of the trade and crack down hard.