MLB Should Send Alex Verdugo and Jeter Downs Back to Dodgers After Latest Decision on Mookie Betts' Free Agency

Los Angeles Dodgers fans excited to see Mookie Betts make his debut in Dodger Blue are patentily awaiting the day that the coronavirus pandemic is controlled to the point where baseball can start back up once again.

Still, MLB is planning for the possibility that the 2020 season ends up getting cancelled altogether -- after all, it'd be irresponsible not to. If that happens, one interesting loophole of MLB's plan is to give players the same amount of service time for 2020 that they earned in 2019.

Latest MLB proposal includes draft in 2020, likely later than current June dates, sources tell The Athletic. Also includes service time for players if season is canceled; players would get same service for ‘20 they earned in ‘19. Parties earlier had discussed tabling that issue.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 25, 2020

While this is a very unusual and unlikely scenario, it could still be enacted, which could be a nightmare scenario for the Dodgers.

If service time from 2019 carries over to 2020, that would force Betts, who only had one year left on his deal before Boston shipped him to Los Angeles for Alex Verdugo and Jeter Downs, to hit free agency after technically "playing" his 2020 season in LA.

If the 2020 season is cancelled and this loophole prevents the Dodgers from ever getting a game out of a healthy Betts, the only correct move is to nullify the trade, send Alex Verdugo and Jeter Downs back to the Dodgers, and act like this whole thing never happened, rather than screwing the Dodgers to such a tremendous degree.

So you’re telling me there is a chance mookie can be a free agent without ever playing one game for the dodgers?
— eddie (@joker37190) March 25, 2020

No, Boston never could've seen a sweeping pandemic wiping out the 2020 season coming when they pulled the trigger on this deal, but regardless, the virus is here. If the games aren't played, how can MLB let the Sox profit, with the Dodgers receiving only David Price's services?

The Red Sox, ripped mercilessly for their paltry return for Betts, might end up "winning" this trade if the season gets cancelled and he hits free agency before playing for the Dodgers.