Red Sox and Dodgers Reportedly Complete Mookie Betts-David Price Trade and Add Jeter Downs to Deal
By Adam Weinrib
Somehow, the process of the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers' three-team mega-trade, initially "finalized" on Tuesday night, has lasted all the way until late Sunday.
But now, per MLB insider Jeff Passan, we may be reaching a resolution, after several days of deliberation after the Red Sox raised issue with Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol's medicals.
The new deal, expected to be announced shortly, includes Dodgers infield prospect Jeter Downs, a good pull from a strong system, and a name that Los Angeles refused to budge on until the Sox threw several wrenches into things.
BREAKING: The trade that will send Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been agreed upon, sources tell ESPN. Outfielder Alex Verdugo and shortstop Jeter Downs are among those who will go to the Boston Red Sox.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
Downs, a shortstop who's a bit redundant in Boston's overall plans, is currently LA's No. 5 prospect, drilling 19 homers and hitting .269 in High-A last season. And yes, he's named after Derek, every Bostonian's enemy.
The third prospect in the deal is 2017 third-round pick Connor Wong, a catcher. The players have now been notified.
Catching prospect Connor Wong is headed to the Boston Red Sox alongside outfielder Alex Verdugo and shortstop Jeter Downs in the trade that will send outfielder Mookie Betts, starter David Price and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources tell ESPN. Players have been notified.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
This is a slightly less ridiculous bounty than the initial deal, which involved the Dodgers not losing a single top prospect for the second-best player in MLB, as well as an All-Star-level starting pitcher. However, it's the principle of the thing; the perception is Boston reneged on their end of the deal due to public backlash, throwing all talks into chaos.
One thing of note, however, is that the Sox are not believed to be receiving a top-tier pitching prospect in the deal, something they were keen on acquiring in the initial transaction.
The Red Sox have had interest in Jeter Downs throughout the talks, but the downside to a deal built around Verdugo and Downs is that the Red Sox won't get a high-ending pitching prospect in the Betts deal.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 9, 2020
Frustrating that they're being rewarded here, but all the same, they're losing one of the best young players this game has ever seen, regardless of compensation.
Expectations are that Graterol, the hard-throwing pitching prospect, will still leave the Twins for the Dodgers, with Kenta Maeda heading to Minnesota.