Peter Gammons Hints Red Sox Could Trade Mookie Betts This Offseason Without Extension

Mookie Betts may not be a free agent until 2021, but there is still a chance that he ends up switching teams this offseason, according to the latest from Peter Gammons.

The 2018 MVP has been seeking a contract that would likely break a few records for a corner outfielder, or at least come close to it. According to Gammons, the Red Sox have been looking at any an all ways to replace his production, because he could be traded if a deal isn't reached.

On MLB Network Gammons just said that while the Red Sox scouts have been out looking for deadline upgrades, they are looking at everyone because if Betts doesn't sign they may end up trading him this winter.

[Obviously.]
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) July 31, 2019

Betts' .346 average, 32 homer, 80 RBI MVP season was nothing short of dominant and historic. While he's taken a step back this season, as his .284 average and 18 home runs will attest to, he remains as talented a player as there is in the league, this side of Mike Trout.

This would be a monumental trade, as Betts is the heart and soul of a Red Sox team that looks set to compete for championships for the next half-decade, but we've seen contract demands tear a team apart before, so it wouldn't be totally shocking.

Mookie Betts made his MLB debut on June 29, 2014. Since that date, he has scored more runs than any other player in the majors:

1. Mookie Betts – 574
2. Charlie Blackmon – 572
3. Mike Trout – 563
4. Nolan Arenado – 513
5. Paul Goldschmidt – 501
6. Bryce Harper – 490
— Red Sox Notes (@SoxNotes) July 27, 2019

Someone other than No. 50 guarding Pesky's Pole would look incredibly odd, but it could happen if Dave Dombrowski doesn't pony up and pay his superstar.