Red Sox Trading Mookie Betts to Either Padres or Dodgers Reportedly 'Pretty Likely' to Go Down
By Scott Rogust
It seems unfathomable for the Boston Red Sox to trade away the face of the franchise in outfielder Mookie Betts. But with a lackluster prospect pipeline and no progress in contract negotiations, the Red Sox have been fielding calls on the star throughout the offseason.
With Spring Training approaching, it appears we're down to two teams remaining in the sweepstakes.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, it's "pretty likely" that the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres will acquire Betts from the Red Sox.
Dodgers (and Padres) continue to show interest in Betts, and trade to 1 or other seems pretty likely at this point. LA wouldn’t include Lux or May but has many good prospects to include. Some scenarios have included David Price in deal, others have not. @ByMcCullough all over it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 30, 2020
Who doesn't love two division rivals duking it out to acquire the services of an elite player?
Boston general manager Chaim Bloom must be salivating at the thought of the prospects he'd get from either team, who are rich with talent in the minors. As of 2019, the Padres have the best farm system in the entire league, with the Dodgers having the third-best.
Rival execs think a Mookie Betts “trade may happen,” Padres and Dodgers have been linked to the star outfielder, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/N0x2bUw2pQ
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) January 28, 2020
When looking at the Dodgers, Heyman points out that top prospects like Gavin Lux and Dustin May are untouchable, which is understandable, considering Betts only has one more season remaining on his current contract.
Yet, you can't rule out the Padres making a blow-away offer to prevent Betts from going to their rivals in Hollywood.
Manuel Margot reportedly among names dangled by the Padres in Mookie Betts talks.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 28, 2020
To review: Margot is 25 years old; has 3+ years of service time; has a .301 career OBP, .691 OPS, and Adjusted OPS+ of 83; 50 steals over the last three seasons.
Additionally, it's unknown if pitcher David Price would be included in the deal. If he were, it'd diminish the return the Red Sox would get for Betts considering his sizable contract. Either way, Bloom is doing his due diligence.
Based off this latest report, it appears Betts is very likely to be California-bound.