Red Sox Should Strongly Consider Dumping David Price's Salary as Part of Any Mookie Betts Trade

The Boston Red Sox are in a tough situation. At the very least, the team wants it to appear that way.

Mookie Betts is in his final year of arbitration and is set to make over $27 million, per Spotrac. That would make him the second-highest-paid player on the team, right behind David Price. The pitcher is set to earn a whopping $32 million in 2020 -- and that has his name popping up in trade rumors alongside Betts.

Unlike the New York Yankees, the Red Sox are actively trying to reduce payroll. If there is no intention to sign Betts to a long-term deal, it makes sense to trade him now to get something in return, as letting him walk for nothing is simply not an acceptable outcome. And if they can make a deal happen while also shedding Price's overly gaudy salary, that's a bonus.

The four-time All-Star could be a great one-year rental for a competing team before he hits free agency, and his value is high enough that the Red Sox can negotiate Betts deals with Price being a necessary inclusion. The veteran is still a capable starter, and a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers would have no trouble paying him what the Sox would rather not.

The Dodgers would get a current star in Betts and a former star in Price with the hope that the latter returns to his old ways. In return, the Red Sox drop two giant contracts and instantly free up nearly $60 million this year alone, to say nothing of what it allows them to do going forward.

Boston has the leverage in a potential Betts trade. A team with a top payroll that is desperate to win a World Series -- looking at you, Dodgers -- should not miss out on a top player like Betts even if Price has to come included.