Mookie Betts Reportedly Told Red Sox Legend Jim Rice Boston is His 'Home' After Tuesday Night Trade
By Scott Rogust
After a stall in baseball news, Major League Baseball awoke from its slumber in the form of a blockbuster trade.
On Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox shipped star outfielder Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Twins. Trading Betts appeared to be etched in stone, after reports of the outfielder's self-appraisal being hundreds of millions of dollars away from the team's asking price emerged.
According to Red Sox legend Jim Rice, Betts had no clear desire to leave, though. In fact, during an appearance on MLB Radio, Rice said that Betts told him the night he was traded that Boston "was [his] home." Seems like, if Boston had offered market value next winter, the Mookie Monster certainly would've locked it down.
Hall of Famer Jim Rice spoke to Mookie Betts last night.
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 5, 2020
Betts, according to Rice: "This is my home. I don't want to go anyplace else."@RedSox | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/ZUJeoCVrUt
This certainly destroys the narrative spread by certain Boston sportswriters and fans.
Towards the end of this past season, the Red Sox parted ways with head decision-maker Dave Dombrowski. Once the die was cast, Betts hinted that the move spelled the end of his time in Boston.
In the past week, it emerged that Betts and the Red Sox were far apart in contract negotiations, with reports indicating the outfielder was bound to be moved before Spring Training.
Recap of what has been reported in tonight's blockbuster:
— MLB (@MLB) February 5, 2020
Dodgers reportedly get OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price and cash.
Red Sox reportedly get OF Alex Verdugo (from Dodgers) and RHP Brusdar Graterol (from Minnesota).
Twins reportedly get RHP Kenta Maeda.
Per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/7xUthhg4xD
Betts now joins a stacked Dodgers team that will no doubt contend for the World Series in 2020. As for the Red Sox, new general manager Chaim Bloom got his wish. He received young players with bright futures, while pushing his team well below the luxury tax threshold.
Betts sounded like he wanted to remain in Boston, but he understands that it was "just business." Will he come back in 2020 after a year in LA? All depends on what he's offered, so...we'd bet against it.