Don't Get Too Excited for an Offseason Mookie Betts Trade
By Chris Russo
While it would be a stretch to say trading Mookie Betts is one of the Red Sox primary goals this offseason, it does set up an awkward Opening Day, and season as a whole, if the perennial MVP candidate played out his final days in Boston without a new contract.
Yet, recent rumors seem to indicate he will not be traded.
Rival clubs remain highly skeptical the #RedSox will trade Mookie Betts this winter, saying Boston's return would be too low. Teams interested in him can simply wait until he's a free agent next winter, saving the $27-$30 million in 2020 without giving up any prospects in a deal.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 6, 2019
The Red Sox haven't been swayed by the subpar returns thus far in trade offers, and most of that has to do with the simple fact Betts will be available in free agency after the 2020 season. With that in mind, why would teams deal any number of highly-ranked prospects for him now?
The final year of Betts' current deal is set to make him $27.7 million. That's a reasonable financial hit for just about any team outside of the Bronx and Boston.
When asked about his pending free-agency following the Dombrowski news, Mookie Betts responded the same way he has all season.
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) September 9, 2019
“I love it here, but this is proof that this is a business.”
While the Red Sox look unlikely to re-sign Betts considering the hiring of cap-managing chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, this is actually a brilliant move in the short-term. Not only will they retain Betts' services, but they will also benefit from him playing his best baseball in search of a higher contract next winter.