February 4th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka By now it’s no secret that Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts will be traded, with the Dodgers or the San Diego Padres being the most likely landing spots. The problem is, we’ve been hearing this for more than two weeks now; this despite frequent rumors that the trade is both inevitable and imminent.
As best as we can tell – or at least speculate – the hang-up with the Dodgers is that Boston does not want to pick-up any of the remaining $96 million still owed to 34-year-old left-hander David Price, whom the Dodgers also want in the deal. Price’s current seven-year/$217 million contract runs through the 2022 season.
Another hang-up in the deal is who the Red Sox want in return. The Dodgers have made it abundantly clear that 22-year-old middle infielder (and 2019 MiLB Player of the Year) Gavin Lux, 22-year-old right-hander Dustin May, and, as noted in the Gammons tweet, 22-year-old right-hander Josiah Gray are off-limits … for now. And while it would be very disappointing for Dodger fans if 23-year-old outfielder Alex Verdugo were included in the trade, getting Betts – a four-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover, three-time Silver Slugger, American League MVP and MLB Player of the Year – in return is a no-brainer; especially when you consider that the Dodgers also have 24-year-old top outfield prospect DJ Peters down on the farm and on their 40-man roster.
All of this being said, I will join Peter Gammons – and just about every other media type – on the ledge by saying that a Mookie Betts trade is both inevitable and imminent.
Play Ball!
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You can count me in on the waiting.
Boston should be concerned that another team may jump at the chance to acquire Verdugo, Downs, and a pitching prospect. Theo Epstein should be on the phone with Friedman asking if Verdugo would be available in a trade for Kris Bryant? If the answer is yes then the Dodgers and Cubs could make very good trade partners. Verdugo, Jeter Downs, Kiké Hernandez, and Caleb Ferguson would be worth 2 guaranteed years of Kris Bryant at third base, or LF, or first base.
Good day SoCal, and I concur and maybe it’s time to move on if Boston remains in no real hurry to deal Betts. (Tweet today out of Boston talks about that) MLBN talked about how Bryant actually fits the Dodgers as far as his versatility you touched on and I am actually better with that potential deal than I am for Betts. And it’s because it appears that with insisting on Some team taking on all of Price’s $96 remaining , they also want the top prospects as well, meaning they are trying to ‘have their cake and eat it too’.
That’s a great idea! Bryant could play in LF for 2020 and 3rd base in 2021 after Turner’s deal runs out. I’d suspect Epstein may want more pitching for KB though…
We do have pitching depth within our system to help with that too.
Excellent point. IMO, Dodgers could include Kenta Maeda and not really miss him in the rotation. I have always thought that Ross Stripling is a better pitcher, and with May, Gonsolin, and Urias ready to take starting rotation spots Maeda is expendable.
It’s 9:24 PM West Coast time and what a night! Our Superstar GM has been dealing!
We aren’t waiting any longer for Betts. Betts, Price and “significant cash considerations” for Verdugo and Maeda! I can live with that!
Probably dreaming, but so far we have Pederson and Andy Pages (Dodgers 29th best prospect) for Luis Rengifo. Rumors I’ve read say major league pitching also going to Angels. How about adding Price (with cash received from Boston) and Stripling for Jo Adell? This is my dream scenerio!
I like your thinking!
None of the teams involved have confirmed either deal.
Let’s see what happens
Freidman has put egg on the face of his criticizers He had to trade Petersen and Maeda for Payroll considerations and to thin out the herd. Beatty and Pollock will play LF with Kiki and CT3 backing up. Maybe Pollock gets dealt next???
We need 4 or 5 solid games out of Price to win a championship so no need to push him in the regular season.
Betts is a difference maker for sure. If he likes it here and they like him as well Dodgers will pursue a big money deal for him.
Go Dodgers
Spot on!