3 Better Trade Packages the Red Sox Probably Could Have Gotten for Mookie Betts

It took the Boston Red Sox two tries to finalize their trade that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles. He ultimately headed to the Dodgers along with David Price and cash in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs. Notably, the Dodgers got away with holding onto prized prospects Gavin Lux and Dustin May.

Downs became the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system after joining the organization. Verdugo has big league experience, and Wong is ranked No. 16 in the system. However, the Red Sox likely could have held out for a few better offers that also included Price in the deal, starting with these three.

3. Phillies: Zach Eflin, Alec Bohm, and Spencer Howard

Alec Bohm is the top prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies. / Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images

The Phillies have raised their payroll to $175 million and clearly want to win a World Series. Adding Betts to an outfield containing Bryce Harper would make the team an instant contender. In exchange, they could have offered up No. 1 prospect Alec Bohm and No. 2 prospect Spencer Howard with the idea that Betts would surely have to consider re-signing in free agency. Bohm was the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 and can play first or third base. He made it to Double-A in 2019, where he hit .269 with 14 home runs. Howard also made it to Double-A and had a 2.03 ERA for the year. Eflin went 10-13 with a 4.13 ERA last year and is under team control through 2022. The sheer promise of these guys would have made this deal impossible to turn down.

2. Braves: Ender Inciarte, Ian Anderson, and Drew Waters

Atlanta Braves OF Ender Inciarte is an easy trade candidate. / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Adding Betts would give the Braves a dynamic outfield that slides him in alongside Ronald Acuña and Marcell Ozuna. Ender Inciarte is expendable and is under team control through 2022. The highlight here, of course, is grabbing both Ian Anderson and Drew Waters. Waters is ranked No. 2 overall and is an outfielder that can ably replace Betts in Boston in the long term, as he's a 20-year-old who slashed .309/.360/.459 in 2019 between Double-A and Triple-A. Anderson, the Braves' top pitching prospeect, is a 6-3 starter who made 26 minor league starts and finished with a 3.38 ERA last year. He had an 11.4 K/9 and is only 21 years old. Instantly replacing Betts with a much cheaper Waters is the coup of this deal overall.

1. Angels: Brandon Marsh, Patrick Sandoval, and Justin Upton

Los Angeles Angels OF Justin Upton could be a salary dump. / Norm Hall/Getty Images

The Red Sox acquire a veteran outfielder in Justin Upton in this scenario. That is the price to pay for including Price. The bargain is getting No. 2 prospect Brandon Marsh and No. 6 prospect Patrick Sandoval. Marsh has a career line of .287/.368/.431 in the minors along with 43 stolen bases. Sandoval is a 23-year-old left-handed starting pitcher who made nine starts in 2019. He is under team control through 2025 and could be a much younger and cheaper replacement for Price.