Red Sox Trade Betts & Price to Dodgers In 3 Team Deal With Twins

The deal everyone in Boston was waiting for the entire winter has happened. The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Alex Verdugo. The Red Sox also get pitching prospect Brusdar Gaterol from the Minnesota  Twins who also acquire pitcher Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers.

Betts, who won the AL MVP in 2018, saw his batting average fall more than 50 points but maintained his production and once again led the Junior Circuit in runs scored and earned another Gold Glove. But the Red Sox are seeking to cut payroll. This desire grew exponentially when the 27-year old outfielder won $27 million in arbitration late last month.

So the Sox unloaded both Betts' contract and that of Price who is owed $96 million over the next three seasons. The Red Sox will send the Dodgers cash to facilitate this transaction. The 34-year old southpaw was inconsistent in his four seasons in Boston. In 22 starts in 2019, Price went 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA. While Price could get a new lease on life in L.A., but he is well past his prime. But I'm sure Dodgers fans love the sound of Bellinger and Betts. The question is whether the Dodgers will be able to get Betts to sign a contract extension or if he is determined to test the free agent market next winter.

This leaves Verdugo in the unenviable position of replacing Betts in the outfield. He's got promise, but I think he'll be eaten up in the fanatical, frenzied world that is the Boston sports media. That's a lot for a 23-year old to handle. I think Gaterol has the potential to be the Red Sox closer in a couple of years. But now that they have jettisoned two of their star players as well as their manager 2020 will be their summer of discontent.

Meanwhile the Twins get a serviceable pitcher in Maedawho can either start or relieve. While he's no Dallas Keuchel, the 31-year old Japanese hurler comes relatively inexpensive at just over $3 million a season and is under contract through 2023 and could help the team in the long term.

To make room for Betts, the Dodgers also traded outfielder Joc Pederson to the crosstown Los Angeles Angels for utility infielder Luis Rengifo.

I have a gut feeling this could be one trade which benefits none of the three teams. There are no sure bets even if it involves Mookie Betts.