In somewhat unexpected (but understandable) news, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner took to Twitter on Saturday to air out some grievances over the way a baseball transaction is handled in the modern age, particularly by “MLB insiders” in the media.
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
Here JT questions the motives of reporters and the perception of whoever is first is king.
So this is really one of those “rock and a hard place” situations. First, Turner is right — at least when considering the players and their families when rumors drop. But on the other side of the coin, these reporters are merely doing their jobs. And — sometimes unfortunately — being first is key to feeding your own family well, at least for these networked-in reporters
One MLB insider responded to Turner’s tweet.
Love JT. But rather than blame the messenger, how about look at the team that’s currently under investigation for alleged shenanigans a 3rd time in recent years. Even if the Red Sox denied they pulled out only due to the negative backlash who’d believe them?
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020
Jon Heyman has been knee-deep in just about every major rumor this off-season. And relatively often — along with ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic — he’s been right. Now while Heyman may not be responding directly to Turner’s point in this tweet, he’s still defending the work on himself and his peers.
In short, Heyman is saying he and his people were accurate in their reporting and inferring that this three-team blockbuster trade would already be done, thus mitigating the stress of the players and families — if it weren’t for the Boston Red Sox and chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom.
While that may be all good and true, again, it is not the point Justin Turner is trying to make. And Turner let Heyman know.
Plus, guys shouldn’t find out that their lives are being uprooted and shipped across the country via twitter. If teams haven’t contacted the player, which was the case here, then there shouldn’t RJ exports or sources being announced on Twitter.
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 8, 2020
Once again, JT is right. It is terribly unfair for players and families to find out about trades from social media and not their organization. Still the unfortunate fact remains… this is what media has become in 2020. Gone is the once-a-day newspaper. It’s the future now and with so much information available at your fingertips, the masses want it all and they want it now.
But is that fair to the players involved?
Absolutely not.
Should Heyman have responded to Turner’s frustrations?
Absolutely not.
Am I defending the media (as a media type here)?
Oh hell no.
Like sands through the hourglass…
NEXT: Beaty Talks Trade Rumors for Players and Families
