Red Sox Will Reportedly Listen to Trade Offers for Star Outfielder Mookie Betts
By Scott Rogust
The Boston Red Sox underperformed just one season after winning the World Series, resulting in the organization firing president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Apparently, turnover won't be limited to the front office.
Sources have told ESPN's Joon Lee, the Red Sox will listen to trade offers for star outfielder Mookie Betts this offseason, in hopes of re-bolstering their farm system.
As Boston continues their GM search, the Red Sox will need to grapple with the implications of Mookie Betts’s 2020 free agency.
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) September 19, 2019
“You just have to be able to stand up for yourself. And that’s OK,” Betts said.
On a complicated offseason ahead at Fenway: https://t.co/8mjwPkdJ0a
Given that Boston is willing to trade away the 2018 AL MVP, their asking price will include numerous top prospects in order to facilitate the move. With Betts set to hit free agency following the 2020 season, the Red Sox are looking to capitalize on this opportunity now, before they let Betts walk away free of charge.
If Betts does hit free agency, he would likely become the first player in MLB history to command a $500 million contract, which vastly exceeds the $426.5 million earned by Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout.
Could Mookie be on the move? ? https://t.co/BhiM4kD46p pic.twitter.com/152aEOh2e2
— theScore (@theScore) September 20, 2019
Following the aforementioned MVP season, Betts owns a .293 batting average, .391 on-base percentage, and .527 slugging percentage, along with 28 home runs, 78 RBI, and 131 runs.
Winter will be very interesting in Boston, as the Red Sox look to add to their farm system and get under the league luxury tax, at the potential expense of trading away a generational talent in Betts.
But remember Red Sox fans, just because they'll listen to offers doesn't mean a trade will happen.