After months of speculation, the Boston Red Sox finally parted ways with former American League MVP right fielder Mookie Betts on Tuesday night. The Red Sox will send Betts and veteran left-hander David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team deal that also involves the Minnesota Twins.
Former Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo will go to Boston, while the Twins will send right-handed pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Red Sox. The Dodgers will also send right-hander Kenta Maeda to the Twins to complete the swap.
Not so long ago, the Red Sox appeared more keen on keeping Betts at least for the start of the season. However, trade speculation ramped up in recent weeks, with the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres taking center stage.
Ultimately, the Dodgers' decision to take on half of Price's $96 million salary (spread out over the next three years) was the key determinant in getting a deal done.
Social media was abuzz with reactions to the news on Tuesday night, and there is likely to be even more discussion in the coming months.
There is even more to be said about Minnesota's involvement, but it can essentially be simplified to bolstering the rotation in a desire to contend for a World Series in 2020. So, let's focus on what the deal means for the Dodgers and Red Sox.
Here are some initial reactions.
Andrew Friedman's stroke of genius
Friedman has garnered a reputation as one of the brightest minds in baseball.
Since taking over for Ned Colletti as L.A.'s president of baseball operations in 2014, however, Friedman has often been criticized for prioritizing the team's future over making a bold move to win the team's first World Series title since 1988.
But, this move is one of utter brilliance. After striking out on Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, Friedman could have attempted to splurge cash on another heralded free agent, like Josh Donaldson, to bolster a team that already won 106 games last season. Instead, he exhibited patience.
Not only was Friedman able to acquire a generational talent in Betts and a veteran starter in Price, but he also barely had to dive into the treasure trove of prospects at his disposal. The Dodgers kept Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Jeter Downs, and Josiah Gray.
Verdugo is a talented young player, but he already figured to struggle to see regular playing time in 2020. Maeda has a good track record of success in L.A., but he was also more of a depth piece in that rotation. Sure, Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling would eventually become collateral damage in a separate deal with the Los Angeles Angels, but neither of them were regulars, either.
But the more consequential component of adding Betts has to do with the Dodgers' ability to sign him to a lucrative, long-term contract when he becomes a free agent after the 2020 season.
According to Roster Resource, the Dodgers owe just over $45 million in guaranteed payouts in 2022 and just under $19 million in 2023. This gives them the financial flexibility necessary to offer Betts what should amount to a $350 million (give or take) contract when all is said and done.
This is where the fruits of Friedman's past exploits come to bear. He was able to add around the margins by trading for players like Manny Machado and Yu Darvish in the past, but simultaneously did not give up excessive prospect capital while also showing a willingness to let those players walk in free agency.
As such, the Dodgers should have the capacity to ink Betts to a massive contract next winter.
How scary is this Dodger team?
Betts' arrival solidifies the Dodgers as the best team in the National League, and maybe in all of baseball.
Mookie ranked second to only Mike Trout in fWAR between 2015 and 2019. Nobody else was even really close. Not to mention, Betts has two seasons with at least 8.3 fWAR.
Even in a “down year” in 2019, Betts still slashed .295/.391/.524 with a 135 OPS+. He led the majors in runs scored (135) and won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award.
The Dodgers were already going to be an offensive juggernaut, but now they have added Betts to a lineup that already features reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, and Max Muncy, among others.
Moreover, the insertion of Betts in right field gives the Dodgers one of the best defensive outfields in the game, as Bellinger will shift to center field while allowing any number of players (perhaps A.J. Pollock, if he is healthy) to move to left.
There are still questions to be answered. The Dodgers might still need to add bullpen arms at the trade deadline, and they will be counting on Price to provide quality innings in the rotation.
That said, the Dodgers still have tons of prospects to dangle, and Price figures to see his numbers improve given he will be making half of his starts at Dodger Stadium.
In any case, it is hard to see another team going head-to-head with the Dodgers from a talent perspective. Then again, that did not mean much when the Washington Nationals stunned L.A. in the NLDS in 2019.
Yes, this was a salary dump
From Boston's perspective, the onus for moving Betts and Price was rather simple: shed salary in an effort to get below the luxury tax threshold. On that note, mission accomplished.
But… it really is not that simple.
As has already been established, Betts is a truly generational talent. While Verdugo and Graterol might both make significant contributions in 2020, it is absurd to think they can match Mookie's value in Boston.
Verdugo is still a young player who has yet to top 400 plate appearances in a season. Graterol has electric stuff, headlined by a hard-biting, 100 mph sinker that is reminiscent of St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks. But he lacks off-speed stuff and has struggled with command, and there is no telling whether he is merely a dominant back-end reliever or a frontline starter.
There are always qualifications. Owner John Henry had clearly made it a priority to get below the CBT threshold this winter, and the Red Sox really did not have a ton of leverage given Betts was almost certainly going to test the market this winter.
As frustrating as the term “salary dump” might seem, especially for a big-market team such as the Red Sox, it is hardly uncommon. In fact, the Chicago Cubs are in a similar situation with respect to Kris Bryant, which is why it might not be surprising if he were the next domino to fall.
When all is said and done, however, the reality is this: the Red Sox could have paid Betts if they wanted.
Yes, inking Mookie to a long-term deal would have had long-standing ramifications on the team's ability (or lack thereof) to spend in the future. However, it is rare for a talent such as Betts to change teams. The Angels were clearly cognizant of this when they extended Mike Trout last Spring.
Time will tell whether the Red Sox have the spending capital to attract marquee free agents and reestablish themselves as World Series contenders. For now, there is only frustration and anguish at the loss of arguably the greatest homegrown star in franchise history.
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