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Wire Taps: Nationals add Trea Turner, Joe Ross; Baseball world loves deal for Nats

Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo earned the approval of pretty much the entire baseball world with his take in the three-way deal with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. So what were they saying?

By Patrick Reddington

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Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals "make out like bandits" one headline reads. An unnamed exec who spoke to FOXSports' reporter Ken Rosenthal wondered if the Nationals had "pics" they used to, presumably, blackmail Tampa Bay and San Diego. After insinuating themselves into the Wil Myers discussions between the Rays and Padres, the Nationals somehow walked away with two first-round picks in return for 25-year-old outfielder Steven Souza and 19-year-old starter Travis Ott.

After months of rumors about the Nats seeking a potential long-term replacement for Ian Desmond, who could leave via free agency after the 2015 campaign, the Nationals pried Trea Turner, the Padres' 2014 1st Round pick away from them in the three-team trade that shook up the baseball world on Wednesday and added San Diego's 2011 1st Round pick, Joe Ross, as well, all in return for an outfielder who figured to come off the bench for the Nationals next season.

So what is the baseball world saying about the Nats' take in the trade? That's what links are for and there are lots of them... starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

NATS BEAT (Local Trade Reactions):

• ""The deal nets Washington a potential replacement for shortstop Ian Desmond, a free agent after next season." - "Nationals to send Steven Souza Jr. to Rays, to receive Trea Turner, Joe Ross from Padres" - Chelsea Janes, James Wagner - The Washington Post

• "The full trade won’t be complete until all three clubs review medical information on every player, but the framework was agreed to late Wednesday afternoon, according to sources familiar with the details." - "Nationals get Trea Turner from Padres, send Steven Souza Jr. to Rays" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Just last week at the Winter Meetings in San Diego, Nationals manager Matt Williams said Souza had earned a chance to compete for a backup outfield spot in spring training." - "Nationals Pastime: Report: Souza dealt to Tampa Bay in three-team trade" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• "But the immediate question on many people’s mind once details of this convoluted trade got out was: What does Turner’s acquisition mean for Desmond’s future?" - "How the Nationals’ trade for Turner impacts their decision on Desmond" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "The Nationals system is stocked with outfielders and pitchers, especially in the minors. What is lacking is middle infielders." - "The implications of the Steven Souza Jr. trade" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

NATIONAL(S) BEAT (They really like Nats' take):

• "Perhaps Washington found its replacement for Ian Desmond, though two scouts say Turner is a below-average shortstop despite his excellent speed and forecast a move to second base." - "Wil Myers trade represents the kind of risky deal Padres must make" - Jeff Passan, Yahoo Sports

• "Trea Turner, the presumed 'player to be named later' in the deal, was the 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft out of North Carolina State..." - "Washington Nationals make out like bandits in three-way trade" - Keith Law, ESPN

• "The immediate reaction from a handful of executives is that the Nationals are faring the best, acquiring right-hander Joe Ross and shortstop Trea Turner as a player to be named." - "Nats could be big winner in 3-team trade of Padres getting Rays' Myers" - Ken Rosenthal, FOX Sports

• "The Washington Nationals, the third team in the deal, did nice for themselves too, getting a pair of alluring prospects that could help them for years to come." - "The Royals don't look so bad for trading Wil Myers now, do they?" - Mike Oz, Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports

• "As a 2014 Draftee, Turner can't be officially moved until the summer. But the Padres' No. 5 prospect might be the best prospect who changed hands in this deal." - "Crowded 11-player trade features top young talent" - Jonathan Mayo, raysbaseball.com

• "Turner is polarizing but more because he hasn’t played much in pro ball and he had a bad draft year at North Carolina State." - "Breaking Down the Prospects in the Wil Myers Trade" - Kiley McDaniel, FanGraphs Baseball

• "The Nationals? They probably have the National League's best team. They're so set that Souza wasn't going to play in 2015." - "Padres go for gold in blockbuster deal for Myers" - Richard Justice, padres.com

• "Souza, 25, could turn out to be what the Rays expected Myers to be: a corner outfielder with speed and power." - "Rays agree to trade Wil Myers in 11-player, three-team deal" - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times

• "Turner gives Washington a potential long-term replacement at shortstop for Ian Desmond, who will be a free agent after 2015." - "Padres acquire Wil Myers in Rays, Nationals 3-team trade" - Marc Normandin, SBNation.com

• "What’s remarkable about this trade, however, is that the Rays aren’t the team getting Turner and Ross. Those two, the top two prospects involved in the deal, are going to the Nationals..." - "Padres land coveted OF Wil Myers, but Nationals may have gotten best of three-team trade" - Cliff Corcoran, SI.com

• "The Nationals? They can play out the 2014 season with impending free agent Ian Desmond, knowing they have a young, potential replacement on hand in Turner." - "Nationals, Rays, Padres agree to 10-player swap" - Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

• "Turner serves as long-term cover if Ian Desmond leaves as a free agent, so he would not figure to go anywhere..." - "More moves loom for Padres, Rays, Nats after blockbuster" - Jesse Spector, Sporting News

• "The deal appears to be in place, pending medical exams, as players are being notified, though it has not been announced." - "UPDATED: Rays-Padres-Nationals deal in place, pending medical exams" - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times

• "Here’s a collection of early reactions to this afternoon’s massive Wil Myers trade between the Padres, Rays, and Nationals." - "Reactions To The Wil Myers Trade" - Charlie Wilmoth, MLB Trade Rumors

• "Earlier today, we saw the biggest trade of the offseason, involving three teams, the Padres, Rays and Nationals. Oh, and Wil Myers, the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year was at the center of the deal." - "Fantasy Impact of the Wil Myers three team trade" - Ray Guilfoyle, Fake Teams

• "Souza has also exhibited conspicuous flaws. After playing third and short almost exclusively over the first three years of his professional career, he was moved to first base in 2011 and then, after that, right field." - "Of Course Steven Souza Is Going to the Rays" - Carson Cistulli, FanGraphs Baseball

• "Meanwhile, Washington is dealing from a position of depth, sending a promising outfield prospect and a low-level arm out the door for two very shiny pieces." - "Rays trade Wil Myers, swap catchers in three team deal" - Daniel Russell, DRaysBay

Non-Trade NATS BEAT:

• "Any Nationals fan knows Drew Storen’s been through the throes of late-inning failure and the thrill of crunch-time success." - "Drew Storen ready to enter 2015 as closer" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

• "Tyler Clippard checked in with CSN for a one-on-one interview with Mark at last weekend’s NatsFest." - "Clippard: ‘I hope we all stay together for at least one more shot’" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Williams' first year was a whirlwind, from running his first spring training as a major league manager to benching star outfielder Bryce Harper in April..." - "Nationals Pastime: Williams on his first year at the helm, what's ahead for 2015" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• "Baseball America released its ranking of Washington’s top 10 prospects this week. For the second consecutive season, big righty Lucas Giolito tops the list." - "Baseball America names Lucas Giolito Nationals’ Top Prospect" - Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post

Non-Trade NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "New Texas Rangers pitcher Ross Detwiler recently joined KRLD-105.3 FM to talk all things baseball. Here are some of the highlights..." - "New Rangers pitcher Ross Detwiler on being rushed to major leagues, pressure of top-10 pick" - Dallas Morning News

• "So what are we to thinkof the inertia displayed by both the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles as they prepare to defend their 2014 Eastern Division titles?" - "Nationals, Orioles best not sit tight on roster decisions" - Steve DeShazo, Fredericksburg.com: Sports Columns By Steve DeShazo

• "A land swap once rejected by Palm Beach County is back on the agenda and could lead to a new Houston Astros/Washington Nationals spring-training complex in West Palm Beach." - "Land swap back on table for 'Stros/Nats spring facility" - Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest

• "The Nationals will be the big favorite in a division without an obvious No. 2 team -- the only team in the division, in fact, projected to finish above .500." - "Path to the playoffs: NL East" - David Schoenfield, SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

• "Cole Hamels of the Phillies and Jordan Zimmermann of the Washington Nationals are believed to be on the block, but the Yankees have a well-known shortage of tradable parts to offer for them." - "Does Chris signing cap Yanks' offseason?" - Wallace Matthews, Yankees Blog - ESPN New York

NATSTOWN:

• "Souza trade yields shortstop, pitcher" - Nat Anacostia, Nats Noodles

• "Nats Turn Souza into Turner and Ross" - The Nationals Review

• "Nats turn Souza/Ott into Turner/Ross" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race

• "Washington Nationals acquire Trea Turner, Joe Ross from Padres; send Steven Souza to Rays" - Dave Nichols, District Sports Page

NL EAST UPDATES: Phils' Rollins deal on hold; Wright swinging; Morse code:

• Marlins:

• Braves: "Right-handed reliever Michael Kohn has written verification that he gained a chance to fulfill a childhood dream when he signed a Minor League deal with the Braves..." - "Kohn looking forward to fulfilling childhood dream" - Mark Bowman, braves.com

• Mets: "More than his three months after his shutdown following a Sept. 8 game, David Wright has resumed swinging a bat." - "David Wright begins to get into swing" - Adam Rubin, ESPN New York

• Phillies: "The Phillies agreed more than a week ago to trade Jimmy Rollins to Los Angeles, and there are no indications that the deal is in jeopardy despite a delayed official announcement." - "Phillies waiting on Dodgers to finalize Rollins deal" - Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Inquirer

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