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This Red Sox-Dodgers Trade for Mookie Betts and Corey Seager Could Actually Work

By Scott Rogust

With rumors circulating about a potential Mookie Betts-Dodgers trade, here's one that would work.
With rumors circulating about a potential Mookie Betts-Dodgers trade, here's one that would work. / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The speculation surrounding Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts continues to grow with every passing day of the offseason.

Things reached a fever pitch on Tuesday, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers had preliminary discussions about a trade for Betts.

How would a trade get done, considering Betts becomes a free agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season? We've got one that would work out for both parties.

Red Sox-Dodgers Trade Prediction

Red Sox Get: SS Corey Seager, RHP Dustin May (No. 2 Prospect), and C Diego Cartaya (No. 11 Prospect)

Dodgers Get: OF Mookie Betts and LHP Jay Groome (No. 6 Prospect)

  • Seager: .272 batting average, .817 OPS, 19 home runs and 87 RBI
  • May: 2-3 record and 3.63 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched with Dodgers
  • Cartaya: .281 batting average, .755 OPS, four home runs and 22 RBI
  • Groome: 0-0 record and 2.25 ERA in three games in Minors

Considering Nightengale broke the trade talks, we have to include Corey Seager, who the insider linked in negotiations. The thing is, Seager plays shortstop, and Xander Bogaerts was signed to a six-year, $120 million contract earlier this year. Either way, Seager would likely shift around the infield as needed.

Even with Betts being a rental, the Dodgers would have to surrender a top-tier prospect. No. 1 prospect Gavin Lux is untouchable, because he'd be Seager's replacement. May is the next man up in the farm system, and would certainly help rebuild Boston's starting rotation to it's former heights.

Then, there's Cartaya. Boston has not had a great catcher since the Jason Varitek days. Cartaya possesses an accurate arm and prime athleticism to defend the plate. Oh, and he has the potential to be a power bat in Boston's lineup.

Los Angeles isn't going to give up three players for a rental, and they'd like to receive a prospect to replace May. Enter Jay Groome, who ranked as the top overall talent in the 2016 MLB Draft. He's gone through some injury woes and is working on his consistency. Yet, he has the potential to become a top of the rotation starter down the line.