The MLB offseason is normally known as the slowest offseason of all the four major sports in North America, while it may be slow you definitely cannot say it is boring. The NBA especially has a very interesting start of free agency compared to the MLB when the top names are usually signed to a team within the first month. MLB free agency can last a lot longer than that and changes are always made up until the start of the regular season.
Going into this offseason there were three marquee free agents, Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon, and Stephen Strasburg. All three players signed a new contract in December, a month into free agency; Rendon and Cole joined new teams (Angels and Yankees) and Strasburg remained on the same team (Nationals), all three earning contracts exceeding $200 million.
Although these were the three biggest names in free agency this season, the offseason always creates stories of other players ending up in new destinations. This offseason was no different, to go along with three big name free agents there was also 3 potential big-name trade targets, Francisco Lindor, Nolan Arenado, and Mookie Betts.
One of these trades has finally happened and that would be Mookie Betts. Betts went from having the best season of his career in 2018 to having a “subpar” season when comparing it to 2018 but still a great season from a great player. Although Betts wasn’t as good at the plate—dropping from a .346/.438/.640/1.078 quadruple slash line to .295/.391/.524/.915—Betts was still a huge threat at the plate as well as a huge threat in the field.
Betts is one of the best fielders in the game today to go along with an arm that makes him one of the top right fielders in the game today. With his talent in the field and up at the plate Betts is truly one of the 5-tool players in the game today and would be a huge asset to any team.
Betts and the Red Sox signed a one-year contract earlier this offseason which was the largest contract for an arbitration eligible player in the history of the league. Knowing that Betts would be an unrestricted free agent next season the Red Sox made their move this offseason by trading him and getting something in return before potentially losing him for nothing in return.
The trade that is sending Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers was finally completed yesterday after a little bit of a delay after the Red Sox were weary of the pitcher (Brusdar Graterol) they would get from the Twins (the 3rd team in this scenario) due to concerns of his medical reports. Originally this trade consisted of the Red Sox, the Dodgers, and the Twins; now with the looming concerns of Graterol the trade is only between the Red Sox and the Dodgers, and the Dodgers and Twins completed a separate trade involving the same players.
In order to get Mookie Betts and David Price and cash (although Betts was the big prize) the Dodgers had to give up outfielder Alex Verdugo, shortstop prospect Jeter Downs, and catcher prospect Connor Wong. This trade only boasts the Dodgers already powerful lineup.
The Dodgers have been one of the best teams not only in the National League but in the entire MLB since 2013 where they have won 90+ games in each of those seasons and have made the World Series in two of those seasons.
Although the Dodgers have been one of the best teams in the MLB over this stretch, they have failed to capture the World Series trophy. Due to recent allegations it seems as though the Dodgers may have been cheated out of the World Series, but the bottom line is, they have failed to cross the threshold that every great team does.
Last season the Dodgers were one win away from making it out of the divisional round but lost a pivotal game five to eventual World Series champions Washington Nationals. Adding Betts and Price to their roster this season only makes the Dodgers a more feared team going into the 2020 season.
Although the Dodgers had to get rid of two of their best young players it all could be worth it if it results in a World Series title for them. Alex Verdugo seems like he could be one of the best hitting outfielders in the near future who shows consistent power and ability to hit to all fields. As good of a hitter as Verdugo is, he has an arm equal to that ability at the plate. Verdugo was clearly a large piece needed in order to trade Betts, but there are a few potential negatives. Verdugo is recovering from a back injury which caused him to miss the final two months of the 2019 season and it is an injury which will need patience from the Red Sox.
Although this could be an issue the bigger issue seems to be the sexual assault case that is looming over him. Even though Verdugo was not directly involved in the sexual assault he was present in the room while it happened, although there was nothing that legally connected Verdugo to the crime it is not necessarily a good look for the Red Sox that they traded for a guy with looming concerns over his head.
Along with Verdugo the other big name needed was Jeter Downs. Jeter Downs so far in his young career has shown flashes of everything, the ability to be a 5-tool player but defense is the one big thing that will need work. Much like the player he is named after defense is the weakest part of the game, but with his offensive ability Downs should be able to find a spot in any lineup with his bat.
The Red Sox obviously did not think that they were going to resign Betts and that is why they traded him to the Dodgers. For the Dodgers this move may be seen as just a rental move, but it could be one of the best rental moves ever. An already feared lineup gets even more dangerous and an already good rotation adds another arm which could help them get over the hump.
Price is not the pitcher that he once was, but he is still a very capable pitcher when he is healthy. Unlike in Boston Price will not have to worry about being a top two pitcher, in Los Angeles he will be behind Kershaw and Buehler, making him a very good number three option.
All in all this looks like a good trade for both teams which could mean more for the Red Sox in the long run, but if this trade can bring a World Series title to Los Angeles this season then it will all be worth it.