The waiting game continues, despite expectations to the contrary. As of this morning, with just one week until pitchers and catchers report, Mookie Betts remains a member of the Red Sox.
All day yesterday it seemed a trade could drop at any moment. Reports the evening prior had indicated as much. Padres beat writer Kevin Acee tweeted midday that “multiple people close to situation believe resolution on Mookie Betts trade is imminent.”
It seems the Friars expected to find out whether they or the division-overlord Dodgers would land a new superstar. They’re still waiting right along with the rest of us.
The Red Sox are still engaged with both west coast organizations, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. And the Boston club is still not even settled on particular trade scenarios with each prospective trade partner. Speier says that concepts both including and excluding high-priced lefty David Price remain on the table.
So, is today the day? Perhaps. But new Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom seems determined to take his time making his first major call. While it has appeared that talks were building to a crescendo, Speier explains that the club still isn’t feeling timing or logistical pressure.
Presumably, there’s a point in the near future at which the constraints of the calendar will force a move (or lack thereof). The Padres and Dodgers need to make alternative plans if they can’t nab Betts. And the Boston club no doubt prefers not to open camp with such massive uncertainty hanging over the organization. Even if it can’t be said that a resolution is now truly imminent, it seems quite likely to come within the week.
DarkSide830
lets face it – it isnt going to happen.
stevewpants
Let’s Face It – love that Mighty Mighty Bosstones album. Can you believe it’s gonna be 23 years old?
qbass187
Wow!
looiebelongsinthehall
For what it’s worth, Ken Rosenthal is reporting a deal with the Dodgers is imminent. Probably means by the start of Spring Training.
jyosuckas
The Rascal King, most underrated song
thareignman
100%
stevewpants
Is it the rascal king behind the bars or the one in front of them?
snotrocket
Great band
differentbears
I’m glad the Dodgers went out and got their latest lefty starter, The impression that I get is that he’s reliable and consistent, even in the postseason. Though some will point to his issues with injuries.
That’s right…I’ve never had to knock on Wood. But I know someone who has.
snake120
First place ribbon
DarkSide830
helps to have the app
davidkaner
Its on like Donkey Kong! Betts & the Dodgers makes too perfect sense. LAD need something to put them over the top.
DarkSide830
if they’re willing to pay the prospect cost, which we have no proof Friedman is willing to do.
kurizmuh
need something to put them over the tip? are you kidding me? that’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. a team with a $206million payroll should stop making excuses and looking to buy more talent to waste on a team that still won’t make the WS. Such a joke of an organization over the last few decades.
kurizmuh
top*
adamsessler
Trading for Betts & Price isn’t exactly a Friedman-type move. The Dodgers have a rep for taking on bad contracts b/c they did so when they traded for guys like Carl Crawford & Josh Beckett, et al. But that was Ned Coletti, & those trades were done when the new ownership group took over; Coletti was told to make moves to make them immediately competitive to remove the stink of the McCourt ownership. It was during this time that payroll ballooned up to $300M+. Since Friedman took over, the Dodgers have steadily moved to decrease payroll. It would seem unlikely that Friedman would undo his work to cut payroll by taking on 3 yrs. & $90M+ of Price’s bad contract for 1-yr. of Mookie Betts.
Eatdust666
Yeah, but it won’t mean anything if Clayton Kershaw keeps choking in the playoffs.
The Human Rain Delay
It will be done by the weekend if not today
bcjd
I hope it doesn’t happen. I want Betts in Boston this year.
theredsoxrule
why keep him for a year and then lose him to free agency? trade him and and get something for him
surefirewinners
I feel like the trade is being held up by the Sox indecision to include Price in the deal.
I would bet that if the Sox said that the trade was for Betts only and we need Verdugo, Downs and Gonsolin, then it would be complete.
Ownership is trying to get Bloom to also include Price in the deal
I think that Bloom is trying to get the Dodgers to take Price and $36 MM ish ($12 MM per year) and offer the same package (Verdugo, Downs and Gonsolin.
The Dodgers will only offer Verdugo and low level lottery picks / prospects, so the Sox are weighing their options.
I can’t see a trade to the Padres as the Sox are clearly trying to get under the luxury tax (to their on field detriment).
We will see, I can’t imagine they want Mookie to report to ST with this ongoing sideshow.
adamsessler
It’s probably the opposite… Sox are trying to force SD or LA to take Price off their hands in order to get Betts. Price is 34 years old, he’s missed significant time due to injury in 2 of the last 3 years, struggled badly in the 2nd half of last year, in 2019 had the highest ERA he’s posted since his rookie year, and is still owed another $96M for the next 3 years. Trust me, neither SD nor LA are begging the Sox to include Price in the deal; it’s the Sox trying to dump Price on other teams…
MafiaBass
That’s the impression that I get
bellybombs
Lol
carlote
Come on, the guy won’t be traded this season, don’t post any articles about this, try something else
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
I think he’s definitely getting traded. And very soon. Bloom is just waiting for one team to step up above the other with a great offer.
davidkaner
Seems like Bloom can’t decide which deal is better more than him squeaking out more. It’s his first big deal so it’s probably more about evaluating the prospects he’s being offered & the amount of cash he’s needing to keep if its a David Price thing.
Moneyballer
Downvote!
carlote
upvote!
pasha2k
I hope it hurries up n happens then maybe they’ll bring the Brockstar back to Boston!
butch779988
Forget Brock
DarkSide830
they really have to get over him
Ketch
I don’t think this opens the door for Holt. I think signing Jose Peraza closed that already.
AtlSoxFan
Maybe yes… maybe not as you think.
Depending on who the pieces are coming back the other way, and the track record/health of them, brock at the right price may make sense.
Neither peraza nor chavis have any usefulness in the OF right now. Holt can do an average job out there, so, if he’s attainable near the 4m/yr mark never say never.
koolga
Could also open the door for Puig to play in Boston. If they free up enough payroll, he would be a reasonably priced option and he is still available.
I would prefer Brock to be back. He is a solid player and fills in a multitude of positions. He also seems to come thru at times when others don’t.
ramon garciaparra
If brock doesn’t have a job anywhere one week before camp what makes you think he will get a $4 million deal? Perhaps Red Sox fans have an inflated value of a guy who has 23 career home runs and 35 stolen bases.
123redsox
Peraza has experience in center. … also, they are far from the same player. Peraza hits right handed and holt left handed. Holt has experience in both corner outfield spots, 1B,3B, 2B and SS. Peraza has experience at 2B,SS and CF. Peraza is speed oriented, Holt is a better all around player.
123redsox
No way the Sox bring Puig in. He’s a clubhouse cancer and the team is already going through some turmoil. Also, deals the sox have discussed have always included Alex Verdugo or Wil Myers, both of whom would slide into right field for the sox.
Buzzed Capra
They have a very inflated opinion of his value, which isn’t very high. He’ll be lucky to get 3 million.
spareman7 2
I agree Holt’s is better.
123redsox
Peraza has experience in center. … also, they are far from the same player. Peraza hits right handed and holt left handed. Holt has experience in both corner outfield spots, 1B,3B, 2B and SS. Peraza has experience at 2B,SS and CF. Peraza is speed oriented, Holt is a better all around player.
watford dodger
We should wait till next year – only a Draft Pick & $$$ then.
Nolan wants outta Colorado & he’s a Dodger at heart. If we’re gonna give up Verdugo it had better be for more than a one year rental.
He’s gonna be good.
Arenado now, Mookie later.
kbarr888
Betts and Arenado?
That’s aggressive. The price tag there will be $70 Million/yr for those 2.
Kershaw is another $31 Mil
Bellinger will be at $20 Mil in a year or two
Jansen is $20 Mil.
That’s $141 Mil for 5 Players.
That leaves about $66 Mil for the other 25 active players (or about $ 3.3 Mil each)
TJECK109
They have 30 man rosters now? Think your math is off
DrDan75
The Rox will NEVER trade Arenado to another team in the NL west, especially the Dodgers.
thefenwayfaithful 2
Shhh! I totally agree, but I’m super pumped at the prospect of getting Verdugo for a rental, even if its Mookie Betts.
I don’t know what the rush is given I don’t think they have that many guys that are going to get expensive. They can let Joc go after this year if they plan to get Betts via free agency and then they have Verdugo AND Betts in the outfield with Pollock? That’s a powerhouse outfield not to mention Bellinger and Smith and Seager?
Why remove anything from that potential lineup?
This of course is all pending that Mookie Betts wants to and is willing to play in Los Angeles long-term after 2020, rather then a rental and that the Dodgers want him long-term. But I definitely agree and was thinking the same thing you are.
RunDMC
Pollock a part of a powerhouse OF? Get a surge protector.
thefenwayfaithful 2
Name a better outfield then Betts Verdugo and Pollock? And oh, yea, Bellinger can still play the outfield too. I don’t think there’s a team that can come close to matching that in the NL. In the AL maybe the Yankees?
Pollocks still a decent player when he’s on the field. He hit 15 homers and drove in 47 in 86 games. Scale that for 162 games and he would have had 25-28 homers and 80-90 RBI. Its not like he’s dead weight. Worth a 5 year deal? No, that was silly. Injury prone? Sure. Gold Glover any more? Absolutely not. Ever going to steal 39 again? No chance. But still a .800 OPS bat when on the field. Far from dead weight.
averagejoe15
Betts Verdugo and Bellinger is certainly a better OF. No need to even play Pollock.
Moneyballer
Verdugo would be GONE –
larry48
Arizona doctor screwed up his elbow surgery, that why they let him go so easy. No attempt to keep him because they new his elbow was messed up. Arizona show be sued for the mal-practice.
rangerslegend34107
Better OF than Betts, Verdugo & Pollock:
Astros – Springer, Brantley, Alvarez/Tucker
Angels – Trout, Justin Upton, Jo Adell
Yankees – Judge, Stanton, Hicks
Red Sox – Betts, Benintendi, JBJ
Twins – Kepler, Buxton, Rosario
Braves – Acuna, Ozuna, Markakis/Inciarte/Pache
Pollock has little value because he’s hurt all the time. Verdugo is a young promising bat but there are several young promising OF bats that I’d personally rather have. So really it’s Betts, a replacement level player, and a young bat. That’s pretty easy to beat.
The Human Rain Delay
Mookie Belli Platoon
hiflew
I just don’t understand why people discount “rentals.” First off he is not a rental, you are getting him for the entire year. Rentals are guys that play for you for 2 months and then leave. Do we need to start referring to everyone signed to a 1 year deal as a rental? Why stop at 1 year? Technically every player in the game is just a rental because none of them are fully wned by the teams.
I look at it like cars. Mookie Betts would be like leasing a luxury automobile for 1 year in exchange for prospects OR a collection of car parts. Sure, you COULD put those car parts together and have a vehicle as good or better than that leased luxury car. But there is also a good chance that you just put together a pile of junk in your backyard that doesn’t run well. And there is also a chance that those parts don’t even make a car at all. In other words, take the MVP and let someone else gamble on prospects that when fully developed only have a minute chance of being that good. Sure, you might occasionally have that Lexus turn into a lemon, while the parts turn into a bargain for the other guy, but more often than not you will be happy.
And there is always the chance that Mookie will enjoy his time with your team and want to re-sign. Something he may not have done had he not spent time there.
thefenwayfaithful 2
Giving up prospects and cash for a player is considered much more valuable then sacrificing a draft pick and signing a free agent deal. Mookie has said he 100% is going to free agency, so there will be no discount for the Red Sox, Dodgers or anyone else. He wants to play his market, which he has the right to do.
Giving up prospects hurts a lot less when you have more then 1 year to make something happen. If you go all-in on Betts and you’re the Dodgers, you better win in 2020. Otherwise the risk/reward hurts too much.
The Human Rain Delay
Great points-
As a Dodger fan I can tell you Machado was going to be a Dodger long term for a lot more money than SD gave until……….. we got a look/feel for the marriage-
Trading for him that half a year gave us all the intel we needed……. funny thing is if Bal was somehow stubborn and didnt deal him he would probably be a Dodger now on a terrible contract-
Your point on getting to see that 1 year fit can not be discounted- Great post!
Javia
It’s more like the difference between a trick and a gf. One is 1 and done. The other could be the love of your life. You know Betts is one year. Period. A prospect could give you everything Betts has given the Sox up until this point in his career, including a WS title. Besides which, the prospects the Sox are asking for are all far more highly regarded than Betts ever was and thus have a higher chance of becoming a star than he did.
davidkaner
Never ever will happen. Pipe dream.
kbarr888
I still say that there’s probably some kind of 3-Team deal in the works and THAT is why it’s taking so long.
Could it be that Boston “can’t decide what to do”…?
Sure…..but doubtful.
Teams Don’t Need Betts MORE Than Boston Needs To Shed Payroll. THAT is why he WILL be traded at some point before the season starts. Teams lose the QO if they trade for Betts “during the season”….so the return will be LESS if they wait.
The Saga Is Exhausting…….but it should be over soon.
angelsinthetroutfield
Good point regarding the QO loss. I also wonder if there’s a third team involved (maybe to take Price and some of his $$) Halos would make some sense if that were the case
Ketch
Really the Dodgers could use Price. Kershaw and Buehler Abe an excellent 1-2 punch, but beyond that the rotation will feature 3 from Urias, Stripling, Wood and Maeda with some good depth from below in May and Gonsolin. Wood is unreliable, and the others are all talented but never been 30 start guys. Price pushes everyone back a spot in a good way and gives the Dodgers serious pitching depth. The real issue however, is Price is no longer a $30mill pitcher. If the Sox pay between 1/3 and 1/2, it makes a lot more sense for LA.
koolga
Price moving to the National League would be great for him. Most American League pitchers get a few good years in after moving to National League due to the unfamiliarity of the pitcher to the hitters.
Plus, Price has never seemed like he fit well in Boston. A move might be great plus for both teams.
Matt Kimball
How mant leftys do we really need? Kersh, Wood, Urias, and Price are too many in my opinion.
vtadave
May want to look into their splits.
baumann
Would guess that Wood is below May on the depth chart …
123redsox
Urias came out of the pen. I’m sure he would stay there
AtlSoxFan
I think the QO has less to do with it than :
a) ownership needing to sign off on the final ok in trading the franchise star for whatever it is, and,
b) if verdugo IS part of LA’s offer, hate to break it to you guys but there’s LOTS of risk in him as a player. No reports he’s been willing (or able) to resume ANY baseball related activities I’ve hears of. That stinks of ellsbury 2.0 – oft injured, seldom/never willing to play through it. Upside? Sure, maybe. But also a risk profile to go with it.
Let’s not forget c) the wil myers problem. SD won’t trade without him, but, really he’s trade and cut material. If he was that valuable or had that much potential SD never would’ve gone for hosmer.
thefenwayfaithful 2
The Red Sox have said numerous times getting under the luxury tax isn’t a priority. But if they can’t win in 2020 and can’t extend Betts (both of which appear to be true) it makes sense to maximize their return for Betts.
I think it should have happened at the deadline in 2019, when they could have gotten 2-3 top prospects rather then 1 and payroll savings, but everyone said I was crazy back then and Betts would never get traded.
They are weighing a lot of decisions here. If they give up Betts and Price in a deal, they are hitting a reset button on a lot of money. Such a deal, they might want players that fit a later timeline rather then a player already ticking service time. If they give up just Betts, they probably don’t make too many other big deals and work around the Price/Sale/Bogy contracts with a new piece like Verdugo with Devers still having a few years of control and hopefully some more improvements from Benintendi. There’s still a chance this team could be very solid. Not 100 wins but 87-90 with some bullpen enhancements.
If they trade Betts & Price, I have to think JBJ and Benintendi start to get shopped as well in the near future. One decision kind of commits them to the other. I think this whole thing is very exciting, because the future is so unknown with such high stakes when you’re talking about a talent of Betts’ caliber.
hiflew
They might lose the QO, but it could also be easier to see if he is the missing piece to a championship caliber club too. People really overrate those QO draft picks. They are nothing more than like a 2nd or 3rd rounder in most cases. Those picks only have about a 30% chance of even making the major leagues and a much lower percentage chance of being an impact player for your team. Someone like Mookie Betts has about a 100% chance of making the majors and a much higher percentage chance of being an impact player for your team.
BigFred
Dodgers should hang onto all of those years of Verdugo. Let the Pads have one year of Betts.
davidkaner
Everyone assumes its only one year. Guys do decide to stay after being traded if they like it. St Louis is a good example when they made the trade with AZ. It happens. Mookie only has a few teams that can afford him & the Dodgers are one of them.
Ketch
Verdugo seems like a steep price tag, but the main appeal to the Dodgers is that the Red Sox know asking for May and/or Lux is a deal breaker. If Lux was on the table, Lindor would already have a blue uniform. Sometimes it’s hard to make any deal when you have an elite prospect like Lux because he’s the only name anyone else wants.
ElysianPark
Lux is not the “only name anyone else wants.” It IS likely true that every other team would want him and ask for him. But that is not the same thing. The Dodgers have plenty of other desirable prospects.
All American Johnsonville Dogs
None of the Padres top prospects have been discussed with Betts.
Campusano has been the premier prospect name with Margot or Naylor, Lucchessi or quantril tossed around. And that includes most of Myers contract.
Meanwhile dodgers have had names like Verdugo downs both named.
Seems like the Padres will give up next to nothing for Betts while the dodgers are expected to pay a kings ransom.
That’s a win win for the Padres. You get Betts for excess parts or dodgers pay a kings ransom.
JoeBrady
The offers aren’t that much different.
Campusano > Downs, though I like both.
Quantrill + Naylor > Verdugo, though again, I like both. The issue with Verdugo is health.
I’d prefer to not get Myers, but depending on how much salary SD picks up, I can live with him as a platoon partner with Moreland and Naylor.
vtadave
Downs and Campusano are pretty comparable.
BA had Downs at #86 and Campusano #79.
I’d easily take Verdugo over the Naylor/Quantrill combo. Both were pretty unimpressive last year.
itsgood2btheking
@Joe
1st off Verdugo & Downs for betts is an absurd overpay. Verdugo by himself is already a 3 WAR player with 5 seasons of control left. Why would the dodgers trade all of that present and future value for only 1 year of Betts? What has the dodgers GM Friedman done in his past to make you believe the Peter gammons rumors? It seems like the opposite of a Friedman type of move.
That aside and moving on to your “prospect evaluations”…
“Campusano> Downs”
They’re both good looking young prospects but Jeter Downs is projected as a future all star SS/2B. He was rated 44th in MLB top 100 rankings(Campusano – 50th).
“Quantril + Naylor > Verdugo”
Cmon joe! Verdugo is already a 3 WAR player. He put up a 3.1 WAR in only 343 AB’s. Projects to 5.5 WAR a season over 600 AB’s. He has 5 years of control. Naylor & Quantrill put up 0.2 WAR in a combined 253 AB’s and 103 innings pitched. I’ll put my money on Verdugo to produce 5 more 4-5+ WAR type of seasons over Naylor & Quantrill figuring it out over the next 6. One of them might figure it out. But you’d need both to figure it out in order for them to out produce Verdugo and that’s an unlikely bet.
JoeBrady
On the Verdugo v Naylor/Quantrill, some of this is projection on my part.
Naylor can really hit, but his glove is an issue. FG projects Verudo with an .793 OPS and naylor with a .766. AAA production is pretty similar, and FG had both rated as 50 FV prospects. The big thing here is that Verdugo is injured. I’d prefer Verdugo, but the difference is not as huge.
Quantrill, for me, is the selling point. Through 8/20 of last year, with 81 IPs, he had a 3.32 ERA with a 70/19 K/W. He fell off the cliff after that, but the 81 innings is a pretty good sample size. To me, this looks a bit like Giolito with the WS. Former top picks with an uneven start to their careers.
Put another way, had Quantrill been shut down in August, he’d be rated every bit as high as Verdugo.
DrDan75
Myers has a lot of natural ability and occasionally goes on a hot streak and carries his whole team. He is also prone to some pretty bad slumps and outfield lapses, and has kind of a “whatever” attitude about the game in general. I doubt he’d be a fan fave in Fenway.
larry48
Margot, Nader, and Myers would not want them for free. O the 3 Myers if Padres sent 35 with him a team might take all three but would not send any prospect back. Even the 2 pitchers listed would not want either Lucchessi or Quantril.
Javia
You would not want Lucchesie? The LHP who had slightly better numbers than Price last year but threw more innings, is younger and is being paid 1/60th the salary? That makes me wonder why Sox fans keep insisting Price has value then.
JoeBrady
Price’s value is underwater. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone argue otherwise.
hiflew
Why? There are 50 prospects like Verdugo that pop up every year. There are far fewer guys like Betts.
I’d rather have 1 year’s worth of steak over 6 years worth of bologna.
imindless
Verdugo isnt bologna. Better comp is verdugo is rib eye and betts is wagyu. Verdugo had a 4 war last yese despite missing time while betts played all year and had a 6.8….
Cooperdooper7
Who give two **** about Verdugo’s WAR last year…. last year means nothing and doesn’t doesn’t say what future performance is going to be. All you fools quoting WAR this WAR that means basically you really do not know diddly about actually playing the game and probably have never played at a level above JR High.. Does WAR have some value… sure it does… a little value…. but not like all analytic geeks think.
Cooperdooper7
Who give two **** about Verdugo’s WAR last year…. last year means nothing and doesn’t doesn’t say what future performance is going to be. All you fools quoting WAR this WAR that means basically you really do not know diddly about actually playing the game and probably have never played at a level above JR High.. Does WAR have some value… sure it does… a little value…. but not like all analytic geeks think.
hiflew
Yeah, I’m sticking with steak vs. bologna. Don’t underrate bologna. Bologna will keep you going and some people absolutely love it. It’s just not top quality. It’s not like I called him dog food or something.
JoeBrady
Everything except the injury points towards Verdugo being a very good player. It’s possible to ignore any single stat. The way I like to look at young players is:
Draft status (V = 2 round)
Prospect rating (~ #30)
K/W (minors = 247/173 & majors = 67/36)
Again, even ignoring WAR, he has no negative ratings whatsoever.
And I like baloney.
AtlSoxFan
@imindless / itsgood2betheking etc…
I said it before, and I’ll say it here. Had verdugo stayed healthy, or heck, had he even resumed baseball activities already 7, going on 8 months later following an oblique strain followed soon after by back strain you’d be closer on point.
I reference the can’t miss AL ROY WIL MYERS who put up plenty of war in his rookie 88 games.
Then, couldn’t keep ahead of mlb pitching once they got a book on him.
I reference JACOBY ELLSBURY, dynamic fielder, threat on the basepaths, pretty good hitter too with ok power outside the one big year. Hurt his back and core in some OF collisions. Also had a habit of hitting the dl and not resuming baseball activities timely… sort of like… umm… Verdugo?
Kid has potential. There’s upside. There’s also lots of question marks, BIG long term question marks after 2019, which, is all we have to go on.
Rather than bologna, think of him as a “free bonus gift with your Omaha Steaks order.” There’s pedigree, I mean it’s Omaha Steaks. But it could be a pack of 4 beef franks, or, it could be filet mignon. Till you buy and open the package, who knows what will show up at this point.
itsgood2btheking
@AtlSoxFan
Spare me the silly narratives and analogies.
Can a player disappear after a good first showing at the MLB level? Sure.
Can a player get hurt and never fully recover? Sure.
Does Verdugo’s situation resemble either of those situations? Absolutely not.
Myers was a power hitting prospect with minimal projected defensive value.
Verdugo has a plus hit tool and is an outstanding defensive prospect.
As for his injury…he injured his back last yr and re aggravated it while trying to make it back for the playoffs. He has 5 yrs of control and his long term value won’t be diminished as a result.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
imindless says “Verdugo isn’t bologna”. I agree—he’s a Dodger Dog (aka a weenie).
itsgood2btheking
“There are 50 prospects like Verdugo that pop up every year.”
Stop it. There aren’t 50 prospects like Verdugo who put up 3.1 WAR in only 343 non platoon AB’s(projects to 5.5 WAR over 600 AB’s) in their age 23 rookie seasons.
Betts is obviously great but he only has 1 yr of control left. Verdugo has already proven he can produce and he still has 5 years left.
hiflew
And full season projections like that are always 100% accurate. Young players often slump in the second half to bring those numbers down.
I look at all the rest of his numbers and I just don’t see the numbers being that great. Half of his WAR is from defense and those calculations for outfielder are sketchy at best. Verdugo looks like a decent starting quality OF without a doubt, but thus far he really doesn’t look like anything THAT special. At least nothing that must be held on to and built around.
You can disagree, that’s fine. You have that right. But so do I.
itsgood2btheking
Full seasons projections like that aren’t 100% accurate…just like anecdotals like “young players slump in the 2nd half” arent 100% accurate.
I’ll pass on debating what level of special we think Verdugo is.
Instead I’ll just point out what he actually did. He put up an OPS+ of 115 with gold glove caliber defense while on one of the deepest rosters in baseball. He did that in his age 23 season in a non platoon role while on a team that isn’t scared to platoon. WAR calculations for defense might be sketchy but no one doubts that Verdugo’s defensive ability is real and will continue to provide value for the foreseeable future.
Ultimately, I think your real issue is with the lack of return a player like Betts will receive because of his lack of control. The Red Sox should receive a good amount of value for him. Just not the type of value that they’d prefer.
VermonsterSD
LOL…… I laugh at all the love being thrown out over a half year player who had a good season, acting like he’s going to the hall of fame already or something, It’s a crap shoot with the young guys, no guarantee of anything. Heck, look back at the 2010 Top 50 prospects for example. Will Myers is on that list. Trout, Altuve, Arenado, and Goldschmidt are not……..
Those lists are wrong more often than right. That’s why you trade high on these prospects when they are there, especially if you can get a top proven talent like a Betts. Because odds are, many of the prospects will never pan out.
Javia
That’s okay. Really. We want you to have him!
Or maybe neither of them should help Boston. Fans here like to extol the value of the QO pick. Let’s let them keep it.
thunderbolt
PONDERING, you say?
angelsinthetroutfield
To shreds you say…
Les Chesterfield
Pondering is code for trade market sucks bc teams don’t want to spend any money. I’m thinking all those redonkulous tv deals didn’t turn out as lucrative as many teams plan. Or many teams don’t care to win
twentyforty
Don’t believe the media hype. They need something to talk about and have enough difficulty covering one team in one sport let alone all teams in all sports. Noise.
JoeBrady
Pondering is code for trade market sucks bc teams don’t want to spend any money.
——————————————————————
I’ve never seen teams spend as much money as they have this season. Anyone with a pulse is getting $50M.
Les Chesterfield
…..trade market friend…..there’s a trade market and a free agent market- if you are going to indulge in free agents it does not cost you prospect wealth. If you indulge in trades- teams trading in the past have acquired quality prospects- today they get nothing but salary relief. So teams give away very good players like Marte just so they don’t have to pay em.
JoeBrady
Fair enough. But GMs will often trade away good, but far off prospects since their value is harder to gauge, and they will likely be out of a job by then.
ForestCobraAL
If angry Padres owner Ron Fowler would remove Will Myers from the deal Betts would be a Padre instantly.
So angry because he wants to win – so he loudly said – but when it comes time to put the money on the table….
DarkSide830
they’d have to include Myers if they want Betts long term. otherwise you have money in those two, Hosmer, and Machado, which leaves no money for pitching presumably.
Les Chesterfield
Myers isn’t the deal killer. It’s no patino or abrams w Myers that kills the deal. Either of Those 2 are elite prospects and worth assuming Myers over.
dvmin98
They can’t afford to keep Myers and take on $27 million for Betts. That would put them close to $170 million.
ForestCobraAL
“They can’t afford to keep Myers and take on $27 million for Betts.”
Prove it.
vtadave
Any team can probably afford a $170 million payroll, but the Padres’ Opening Day payroll last year was $97 million. Taking on Betts pushes them to $180 million. Probably not realistic.
larry48
who cares what Padres salary is if its less than 208 million
larry48
Margot, Nader, and Myers would not want them for free. O the 3 Myers if Padres sent 35 with him a team might take all three but would not send any prospect back. Even the 2 pitchers listed would not want either Lucchessi or Quantril.
Lovinmlb
Again Betts is free for the Padres. He would generate positive PR, boost sales, and if they choose can trade him at deadline for possibly almost as good as prospects as they have up. Sure they would like to trade Myers who wouldn’t but they don’t have to. Should of never aquired him or hosmer or machado but they are stuck with that hand so have to play it.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Hey runforestrun: “..but when it comes time to put money on the table…”—you mean like the cheap Red Sox who have a contract that they entered into with Betts but now don’t want to pay? Like that?
metsie1
The only team that should be considering doing a trade for Betts is the Dodgers. Although, giving up a good prospect for one year of any player is questionable. No guarantee they can sign him after this season. Of course, if they win it all maybe it’s worth it for them.
The Padres? I don’t get it. They are not going to win the WS this year with or without Betts. Very doubtful they would re-sign Betts. Why give up good young players for that.
RedSox4Life4ever
Padres are just trying to make the playoffs, not win the WS.
brucenewton
Betts doesn’t make the Padres a playoff team.
max57
It would be all speculation, but that becomes a pretty scary lineup and very well could be a playoff team.
Still, what’s the point of throwing away prospects for one year of Betts? Pads should drive up cost for the Dodgers but back out of actually dealing for him.
larry48
Padre’s won’t make the playoff with Betts they should try to win 81 games first. They always suck in the second half of the season.
VermonsterSD
Vegas has the Padres at 83 wins right now. Betts is a 6-7 WAR player. If he helps them get 6-7 wins above the Vegas prediction, that’s 89 or 90 wins. Wild Card last year was 89 wins. So, they could slide in as a wild card. And last time I checked, anything can happen in a series, Wild Card teams can win the World Series, and last time I checked, no team that has failed to make the playoffs has ever won a world series…… 😉 And it’s not just Betts getting them there. It’s Betts, Pham, Grisham, etc. It’s not like he’s the only offseason move they’ye made to improve the team.
TJECK109
Dodgers are trying to win the WS and not just keep making the playoffs
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
You’re confusing my Padres with the Dodgers.
bellybombs
Bad day for you pal.
Tomfromsd
While I agree with your assessment metsie1, the interest for the Padres is to dump Myers’ contract. That gives them flexibility going forward + a draft pick when Betts does leave via free agency.
SD has loads of good young players and a possible logjam at multiple positions, going forward. If you can eliminate the logjam, dump a bad contract and get a good player back for a short term PR boost, then why not?
ForestCobraAL
Ron Fowler’s primary focus is dumping Will Myers contract.
That’s the problem.
dvmin98
Without ridding Myers’ contract, the deal isn’t happening. They can’t take on another $27million in salary
ForestCobraAL
Your proof of this assertion can be found where?
Javia
Who cares? The Sox can make the trade or not. The Padres either get rid of Myers or they don’t. Either way the Sox aren’t getting Gore, Patino or Abrams. So why should we bother to worry about it?
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Hey wackyrunDMC: Just like RS owners’ primary focus is dumping the Mookie Betts contract, right?
DrDan75
AJ is trying to save his job, that’s why. And he’s trying to move Myers.
luckyh
It’s just them trying to get the most return. There’s plenty of time before ST. No harm in that for the Sox.
ray win
I Read a great article yesterday about how Betts is nowhere near Trout, and not a whole lot better than Anthony Rendon. Yet, Betts is hoping for Trump money in free agency. He is not worth that. I see him as one of those players who has a great situation in one city, and will never be as good in another. Check his home and road comparison. I haven’t seen anything to indicate that he wants to be in Boston.
spareman7 2
I agree. He obviously doesn’t want to be in Boston and so if he doesn’t we don’t want him or I don’t anyway. I think you’re right he’s got a great home here in Boston and a great fan base following him but will he have that in another city, I highly doubt it especially LA.
pasha2k
Spare I really think IMO he doesn’t enjoy playing in a high stress baseball town. I think he would like, like Machado get the bucks n have no one looking at him. He would be looked at if a high priced long term contract was signed.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Not trying to stir the pot, just hypothesizing. There have been many players over the years that have complained about how racist the city of Boston is. It was the last team (that played pre and post segregation era) to field a Black player. There is the famous Earl Wilson incident that got him traded. Recently Adam Jones, an opposing player, lodged complaints. Etc, etc, etc.
its_happening
And don’t forget the mistreatment of David Ortiz. Wait a sec….
If there was any truth to it David Price would be a hypocrite to sign there simply for the money. Alex Cora would be a hypocrite to accept the manager job while being steadfast in his personal beliefs. Manny would have never been allowed to be Manny.
Can’t really take much stock in what Adam Jones says either. He is a money-first player who does not care about winning based on his actions in recent years. Boston is probably no more or less racist than the other big cities.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Racism plays out in different ways. It isn’t a one-hat-fits-all. It also affects people differently. Once again, I was simply rumoring because it is a rumors site. But don’t give me the B.S. that Boston doesn’t have some major problems with racism. Too many athletes have complained about it in the past. I used to live in Boston. I went to one Fenway game. Never again. The fans (maybe I should say “some fans”) were out of control with homophobic and racist slurs.
Matt Kimball
Cora is a cheater and therefore has no steadfast beliefs. If he had steadfast beliefs, he wouldn’t be a cheater and a fraud.
its_happening
Matt Kimball – I agree 100%.
User 4245925809
“The fans (maybe I should say “some fans”) were out of control with homophobic and racist slurs.”
shouting “greaseball”, or “dago” when italian sounding names came to the plate perhaps? “potato head” when some irishman came up, or was announced?
Funny, don’t remember this country being THIS uptight when other nationalities were routinely attacked daily, even in the press, much less it being considered so called racist.
Me thinks far to many people need to look at REAL American history and not what edited books have put out the last several decades. Might be shocked if come out of that little bubble on occasion.
HalosHeavenJJ
I’ve often wondered this, Tipsy. Far from just Jones in recent years. CC Sabathua said it’s the one place in baseball players expect it. Torii Hunter received it, fans, even Carl Crawford as a member of the Sox.
There’s definitely a pattern there. Hopefully Betts just wants free agency, but it wouldn’t shock me if part of him wants out of Fenway.
The Human Rain Delay
Celtics players have said the same thing for a couple decades now
DrDan75
I agree. I’ve been to Fenway. Between the tiny seats and the loud mouthed fools who sit in them… never again.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Just like the orange blob.
davidkaner
Betts is a great player but Fenway makes him even better. He will not be the same player anywhere else. He should sign an extension with LAD immediately.
Horace Fury
I’ve been thinking about the Fenway effect for Betts, too. Those NL West parks include some big ones, and Betts’s power is dead pull to left. Without a Green Monster to knock down some doubles, he might be sending long fly outs to the warning track in greater numbers than anyone expected. I’m not in the business of predicting here, but what if he goes to LAD or SD and puts up a .270/.340/.460 year with .750 OPS and 20 HRs and 30 2Bs? There goes the 400MM–the bidding scrum will be around 300MM. It’s worth it to the Red Sox to make this trade happen and get back in the bidding.
VermonsterSD
“Check his home and road comparison”
Okay, about .35 lower in career BA, way less doubles…….
But,
Ted Williams, about .35-40 lower in career BA, way less doubles
David Ortiz, about .35-40 lower in career BA, way less doubles
Jim Rice, about .35-40 lower in career BA, way less doubles
You going to say none of them are “worth it”?????
Only one I could find in a quick search who did close to the same home vs away is Manny Ramirez, and he actually had a better BA and more doubles away from home…….
Plenty of hall of fame players don’t hit as well on the road…… (Trout also better away). It doesn’t negate their talent…….
Lovinmlb
Yeah any good baseball gm knows to look at splits with even more precise data then just home away splits. Fenway will help most hitters but not like those guys are trash on the road. Some guys hit about the same on the road. Some guys in a bad hitters park have better road numbers. Most guys do a little worse because of not being in their own bed, or balls moving a little different because of different climate, or jet lag. But not like Betts is Bradley Jr on the road unable to even hit .200
Steven Hevenstone
OK – someone posted a 3-team deal? I can see that. However I personally don’t think it is going to happen. With the cloud of stealing signs via electronic means hanging over the Sox they need to have something for the fans (I am a Yankee / Braves fan so don’t get confused here). I think the Red Sox keep Betts – to me – a solid great and competitive Red Sox Team makes the entire AL East better – I do not dislike the Red Sox, I am more of a Baseball fan and when they were in the WS I did root for them.
One other thought – though they have a decent outfield, the one team I can see maybe moving towards this potentially for Betts would be the Nationals – they are attempting to get over the Braves and Betts coming on board would put them over the edge. And yes, I do support the Braves, but like my thoughts on a good Red Sox Team, a good Nationals Team makes the NL East better.
I can’t wait for Spring Training….
bigcheesegrilledontoast
Geez, pick a team to follow and stick with them through the ups and downs then you will be a true baseball fan. I agree the Nationals should get involved, Betts for Eaton, Fedde and a prospect, makes both teams better.
cards04
Yeah really. Hate those people
fox471 Dave
Really hate people who love baseball and can’t wait for Spring Training? Wow!
DrDan75
Yep, just like my brother the New England Patriots fan. He’s never been to Boston.
kbarr888
Grilled Cheese…..
Why are you against “Loving the Game…..and Talking Baseball”…???
Why does someone have to be a Homer to be recognized as a “True Baseball Fan”…???
I Love The Game.
Yes, I have Teams that I Like, and a Team That I LOVE.
But I like to talk Baseball regardless…..
bigcheesegrilledontoast
I love the game, everything about it, I respect all teams and players because I know only a few are chosen and good enough to reach that level. However my heart is invested in the Cardinals since I was a youngster and I pass that passion onto my sons. Feels good to belong to something that’s much bigger than myself, the history, legacies, shared with like minded people. It’s not just a game but part of my life. I like and play other sports too but baseball will always be number 1 for me.
Dan LeBlanc
The RedSox will trade Mookie and David Price and cash to the Dodgers for Alex Verdugo + then the Dodgers will flip Price plus the cash to the Minnesota Twins. Just a guess, although I do think a third team is involved (Angels?)
kbarr888
Unless the Dodgers flip Joc Pederson and his $10 Mil to someone for prospects, opening up some room for additional payroll. Joc is a FA after 2020 anyway.
Then the Dodgers could Keep Price for 2020 and see if they can fix his issues. J. Turner comes off the books after 2020 ($20 Mil savings)……so the Dodgers lose $30 Mil in payroll in 2021 (Joc & J.T.)
fox471 Dave
5 years of Verdugo for 1 year of Betts? Terrible trade. Betts is not Trout.
Matt Kimball
Verdugo is damaged goods.
rememberthecoop
So let me get this straight…you think you know about a third team involvement that professional baseball writers who do this for a living don’t know about? That’s interesting.
Dan LeBlanc
So let me get this straight….you didn’t read where I said it was just a guess? That’s interesting.
mike156
Mookie Betts, the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Padres, or the Iowa Caucuses?
Oooh, that’s a tough one for me. Politics and Baseball. What else is there?
bobtillman
Sex?
CNN just declared Hubert Humphrey as the Iowa winner……
JoeBrady
It is 2:04 EST, and they still don’t have the results of Tuesday’s caucus. So Humphrey is still alive. Not physically, of course, but politically, he still has a shot in Iowa. Maybe in Chicago too.
bobtillman
…dead or alive, he’s got my vote…..such is the paucity of talent the party I’ve belonged to since birth is running out there…..I suppose Amy comes closest…..
JoeBrady
I like Tulsi from your side. She always looks like she is one snide remark away from a brawl.
Doug
I was just thinking which dumpster fire is less likely of being successful in the Fall, the Red Sox or the Democratic party.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Iowa’s decisions will show up before Betts’ decision.
hozie007
Mookie will actually cost the Red Sox $37 million if he stays with them for the year….his $27M plus the roughly $10M in CBT. If they trade him and don’t take on more than $7M in added payroll, they will save roughly $30-37M and re-set their CBT penalty rate. Seems likely he’s moving to LA….
braves2
is there really anything going on or is it just speculation and media looking for attention? Everything Ive read has been pure opinions on scenarios that could happen with any evidence whatsoever of any names involved or legit talks that have occured. maybe I missed something, but Im pretty sure this is just to keep people excited
kbarr888
“The Math” sure does show that Boston “Needs To Move Him”.
hozie007 shows the math and he’s right…….you have to factor in the Luxury Tax Fine with his salary to determine the “actual cost”.
AtlSoxFan
I don’t think it’s the 2ND or even 1st tier tax penalty itself that has Henry so irritated.
Really, castillo’s money coming off the books covers 3 mookie betts tax penalties.
I think it’s the spending big for no results, watching other teams executing the vision Henry had when he went after beane and settled on theo that hurts him. As and Rays outperforming for so much less? Friedman’s dodgers in year in and out with money to burn anytime they like?
All the top heavy salaries cost DD his job, no doubt about it.
TOP tier tax penalties? That’s something Henry won’t abide more than a year on a true WS contender push. And even then, not frequently. Problem is, with so many big salaries, you don’t have room to fill other needs. That’s a bigger reason for the trade – free salary, AND, hopefully get a couple controllable cheap, but useful, pieces back.
rememberthecoop
Where there’s smoke…
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
There’s a doobie or a mamacita!
Les Chesterfield
Red Sox are some 36 mil over cap including penalties. If they eat 10 mil of Betts salary it still saves em over 20 million and should help in the return.
Winker/india/mahle for Betts and 10 million. That’s about as good as it’ll get for Boston.
rememberthecoop
Les, I don’t see the Sox eating any of Mookie’s deal; maybe if Price is included.
Ahimsa
I think its good for MLB when the Yankees and Dodgers buy all of the elite players, and have stacked rosters.
RJY707499
Hoping a “mystery” team steals him away from the coast teams.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
It would take the pooling of about 20 red states’ money to pay for Betts’ $27M.
Rumncoke
He’s a tool. Nobody wants him
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Yeah, but unlike most players, his tool works.
IronBallsMcGinty
Serious question, with spring training so close what’s more important, trading Betts or finding a manager?
krillin89
Considering how much money they could potentially save, and the prospects they could get, it would be tremendously more important than finding a manager for a few games. Managers are good to have, but there is a reason the star players make way more
RockLowDown
Mookie will go to the dodgers
David price to the blue jays
Red Sox get polluck , Ruiz and gray
Dodgers /red sox/ blue jays all split salary of Price lol
Padres finish 3rd in NL
Who agrees
its_happening
Doubt the Blue Jays have any interest in Price. A deal could be made but I don’t see the Jays having any interest at this point.
AtlSoxFan
Only part I agree with is padres 3rd in NL west.
Cooperdooper7
LOL— Nobody agrees— Red Sox do not want an aging injury Prone A.J Pollock
DrDan75
Padres finish 3rd in the NL behind the Dodgers and Braves. And Hosmer hits .400 and Quantrill pitches a perfect game on opening day. 🙂
Deleted Userrr
Chris Paddack is going to be the opening day starter so…
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
You forgot to add that Dodgers would choke in WS, if not in earlier playoff series. Now, I agree.
RockLowDown
Verdugo is already having back problems. Good luck Red Sox fans
AtlSoxFan
Really they ought to break camp with Betts and dangle him at the deadline rather than center a deal around ellsbury … ahem…. verdugo, or, need to take the poison pill of will myers without something elite to offset that toxic situation (gore/patino type).
4th round pick, so what. Maybe you get postseason instead or an overpay at the deadline. No more a gamble than verdugo’s back imo.
RockLowDown
Who remembers when the Indians wouldn’t trade corey Kluber for verdugo last year ? Indians loss on that . They ended up with nothing. Mookie will go to the dodgers for some players but It won’t be include verdugo .
Deleted Userrr
Emmanuel Clase is going to be seen as one of the best closers in baseball 2 years from now. But agree that the Indians did not play that one well.
Henry Silvestre
Longer this goes the better odds he is in San Diego— Take the healthy Padres players vs the BACK BARKING Verdugo…Oh maybe we can sweeten the deal and include TJ expert Espinoza in the deal
AtlSoxFan
Rather have Espinoza than myers. .
vatp46a
Trading Betts and Price from a team that won 108 games 2 years ago, and with most of that roster intact while maintaining the highest seat prices in MLB – that is the equivalent of Sox ownership giving fans the finger. they were a couple of arms away from being a WS contender again when this off-season started and they made no significant moves to improve, so maybe that finger already was waved at the Sox fans by ownership.
JoeBrady
More like the FO is telling the fans that we have no farm, and that our payroll situation is unsustainable.
And we’d rather have 3 players that can help us for the next 5-6 years, than one player that can help for one year.
alanofla
If the Dodgers are truly parting with Verdugo, then the hold up may be his medical reports. The Red Sox would obviously want to be certain that he is going to be able to play relatively soon..
There may also be an ongoing attempt by the Dodgers to try to work out something long term with Betts. It’s possible Betts might just be more interested in leaving Boston than actually testing free agency. The Red Sox should welcome this because then the Dodgers would have to give up more in the trade.
The Dodgers may actually want Price, but at a decent rate. If the Dodgers are able to extend Betts that could result in the Dodgers paying most, if not all, of Price’s onerous salary. It would be a bitter pill, but if Betts is locked up for a few years, then it’s the cost of doing business.
The Dodgers would really ease the Red Sox financial burdens once again, but not have to give up as much talent. Even if the Dodgers can sign Betts, the Red Sox cannot expect to offload almost all of Price’s salary and also get the very best prospects the Dodgers have. If the players reportedly in the trade are the ones actually sent to Boston, then the Red Sox end up with Verdugo, Downs, and Ferguson–and enormous salary relief. The Dodgers spend a whole lot of money this week, but maybe trade Pollock and Pederson in the coming weeks to help offset it.
If Verdugo is not going to play any time soon, the Dodgers and Red Sox may also be haggling over a suitable replacement who is not Lux or May. Ruiz and another good prospect might do it, I don’t know. I hope the Dodgers hang onto DJ Peters. For the oldtimers out there, Peters is reminiscent of a young Frank Howard. I would like to see him play in Dodger Stadium for at least a little while to see if he becomes the monster hitter he just might be.
AtlSoxFan
Here’s a startling comparison for you…
Verdugo had a HOT opening couple months in mlb. Then he got hurt, hurt himself again in rehab, and still to all reports has never resumed baseball activities.
Even if we assume he can get healthy and stay that way (a big assumption), you know who put up BIG rookie numbers over even more games?
Trivia answer: WIL MYERS. AL rookie of the year after 88 games of his best production in his career.
Since then? Pffft.
So, Verdugo comes with 2 big question marks. VERY short track record, he never really had to show ability to make adjustments as pitchers got a book him him. He also has that health issue… can he handle 150 games year in and out?
Clayton Russell
Good call there. I think the difference is that Verdugo has always been more of a contact guy where a lot of Myers’ value was in his power, but the point still stands. I stumbled across an old bleacher report article from 2013 with scouting stuff about Myers. Anyone interested can probably find it with a search. It includes some gems such as: “Myers is arguably the best hitting prospect in the game. His offensive potential is generally regarded as being enormous.” and “a potentially lethal hitter.”
Although there’s always the off chance Myers goes to the AL East with some good hitter’s parks and working with a new hitting coach–maybe he becomes above average again. who knows?.
JoeBrady
I agree on the Myers issue. He was overrated when they traded Turner for him, and overrated when they signed him to the big contract.
Now I think 2019, alone, has made him underrated. In the 4 years prior to 2019, his OPS+ was 112, with a 2.2 WAR, and a 3.1 WAR/650. He just turned 29, so it is not like he is ancient. And the contract favors the RS, the way it is written. If SD kicks in $10M, then the payroll cap hit is only about $4M. He can platoon at 1st, pick up some games in RF, PH, etc.
In any case, if his payroll hit is only $4M, and we get better prospects, we should pay the money. Like you said, moving from a park like SD, to a paradise like Fenway, could help him find the swing that made him such a highly-rated prospect.
itsgood2btheking
Comparing Verdugo and Myers is laughable.
Verdugo is everything Myers isn’t. Myers was a plus power type of prospect without a true position. Verdugo is a plus bat with a plus plus glove. Capable of playing all 3 OF positions as an athletic youngster but profiles as an athletic RF with a very strong and accurate arm.
AtlSoxFan
Not so laughable as you think.
Both were “can’t miss” prospects and “perennial all star trajectory” touted rookies.
You know what doesn’t age well? Speed. Speed and a “plus glove” don’t do well at all if you’re injury prone – Cite to ELLSBURY. Once back and core issues kick in, those dives stop both stealing on the basepath and in the outfield. And the inuries can keep rolling.
The real comparison I was making was you can have a quick hot half season, but, can you keep adjusting to pitching? Can you keep up what you started?
The kid hasn’t even resumed baseball activities 7 months later for core/back soft tissue ijuries.
Gimme a break. He has potential, but is quite damaged goods until he proves himself in a 150 game campaign and definitely gets traded at a discount from what he commanded a year ago this time.
VermonsterSD
Ellsbury would be a great comparison for Verdugo……..
JoeBrady
In what way? If I thought I was getting an Ellsbury-clone, Verdugo would already be on his way here. Ellsbury had a lot of injuries, but still had 21+ WAR for Boston.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Great job on the homework!
puigpower
Alan, he DOES remind of Howard
password is tacko
Would love for the Marlins to shock the world and add him and price for 2-3 lotto ticket prospects. They get their franchise player to build around (if they have an extension lined up at the time of the trade) and a big name pitcher to stabilize the young rotation. Just in time for the new TV contract to go into effect in the next couple of seasons. Adding them both would still have the Marlins under $100mm payroll by a decent margin and would show the fan base that buying this franchise wasn’t just a money grab for Jeter and Sherman. Bring on the negative comments
its_happening
No negative comment here. A move like that would push the Marlins from a 5th place team in the NL East to a 5th place team in the NL East. Also curious who they would trade to the Red Sox as they will not accept a “player to be named later” in this scenario. Boston’s prospect capital is also somewhat questionable. Betts leaves after 2020 and all you have is David Price and a couple of potential players in the future. Doesn’t necessarily make the Marlins better long-term.
Edenwald21
I say mooki and price to the mets for thor, Lowrie, nimmo and a mid level prospect and boston eats 40 percent of price salary
JoeBrady
I would do that in a heartbeat.
mcase7187
There’s one thing that people seem to forget and that’s they are takin just as much of a risk if not more than any other team ya Betts may leave in free agency
But the sox’s would be takin a chance that any prospect they get may never develop in to anything
68tigers84
Sounds like about a 75 percent chance of going to LA for Mookie. Might go to the Reds, 6 outfielders in exchange.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
“Sounds like about a 75 percent chance of going to LA for Mookie.”—yeah, and it’s a sure thing that 70% of LA’s baseball TV audience won’t get to see the Mook. Six years and counting of a TV blackout to Dodger fans. thanks to TimeWarner and especially the Dodgers.
Psychguy
“Overlord” sounds pejorative? As far as I know LA is only guilty of success (albeit no WS) without cheating.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Only a WS win defines success. Therefore, no success in Doyerland for 32 years (3 decades) over two centuries. Keep drinking the kool-aid Doyer fans.
Moneyballer
The Price is Wrong, David. (Sorry guys, so sorry!)
Rsox
If Bloom and co. are waiting for anything close to even what the Diamondbacks got for Goldschmidt they probably arent moving Mookie.
Dodgers do not want to pay a prospect premium for any one. And the Padres are bent on dumping Wil Myers in the deal. I very much can see Mookie in RF for Boston on opening day.
lowtalker1
I wouldn’t count out wil myers playing first for Boston this year. He did come from the rays organization after they traded him for James Shields from kc
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
RS are equally bent on dumping Betts. Try including that everytime you mention dumping Myers. I say this last line not to you but all the other posters on the Mookie stories.
Deleted Userrr
“RS are equally bent on dumping Betts.”
Bull. If they were “bent on dumping him” he’d be gone by now.
Javia
Yes, yes. If I really wanted to divorce my wife I would have done it by now. Unless I am trying to force her to give me the lake house in addition to everything else we already agreed upon. But that never happens in the real world, right Jim?
Deleted Userrr
@Javia you just proved my point. The Red Sox never wanted to trade Betts. They were willing to trade him if they got an offer they valued as fair. HUGE difference.
joblo
Wow, this is just like the Iowa caucases.
jfinchum22
Breaking news – The Cincinnati Reds trade for Mookie Betts and add yet another OF!
Wishful thinking 🙂
lowtalker1
The reds give up the idea of a second baseman and a short stop and work with a right fielder, right-center fielder, center fielder, left-center fielder, and a left fielder
CrikesAlready
Since Will Myers will have career years in 20,21 & 22, I’d say that Boston is screwing up royally right now.
Oh well, Boston’s loss. We only want to get rid of him because he doesn’t know good Mexican food.
[Sarcasm]
iamoldboy
Perhaps the billionaire Henry has heeded my warning that I will suspend the Red Sox and MLB for at least one season if Mookie is not re-signed.
n2northsiders
I don’t think Betts gets traded. If he does, why would the Dodgers give up 3 top prospects for a one year rental. The Dodgers roster is more then good enough to win a championship. Doesn’t make sense for LA
rocky7
Agree, plus from a PR aspect, making a trade with Boston and not winning the World Series while surrendering multiple top farmhands, only getting Betts for 1 year with him opting for free agency, and having to take Price’s contract on, it would be a nightmare.
martras
I think it’s pretty clear the Red Sox don’t particularly want to trade Betts on his own. The Padres want to give Boston back a poor player on a terrible contract, plus they want only Betts so I suspect the only thing which will bring the Red Sox to the table with that type of scenario for San Diego is a major prospect haul.
When it come to L.A., I would think they have to be the favorite in terms of a trade actually happening. Price does still have some value as a pitcher even with the albatross contract, and the Dodgers would be able to send back almost nothing in terms of prospects by taking on both contracts from Boston. Price would be nice insurance against Wood and having Boston eat 1/3 of Price’s contract should be doable, I’d think.
rognog
Why is every Dodger target public then drags on and on before ultimately falling apart? Is it a charade or are the Dodgers difficult to work with?
FrostyPucker
Rognog, the answer to your questions yes. To both.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
Cause the Doyers are cheap.
FrostyPucker
Reminds me of the high school tease.
padreshave32yrstobestdodger1stwswin
More like a striptease—the RS want to strip good prospects from other clubs.
cubsneedtomoveon
I heard that the Angels are trading Joe Madden and a minor leaguer for Betts.
number1dodger
How hard is it to make up your mind. Do the dodgers want him? Or the Padres. Or is he going to stay in Boston.
Deleted Userrr
It’s clear that Chaim Bloom doesn’t want to trade him. Otherwise he’d have just done it by now rather than dragging this out trying to get the Dodgers and Padres to up their ante.
MikeEmbletonSmellsBad
I think the Tigers should trade for him and try to work out an extension, or at very least get a jump start on signing him next offseason.
SG
This is like watching grass grow or paint dry.
The Human Rain Delay
Disagree, all parties are playing their hand out-
This is Blooms first major action….trading Mookie…..hes going to take his time-
It will happen by Friday
Lovinmlb
I think the hold up is because the offers aren’t blowing them away. Trade returns have been weaker the past year. If the main trade piece is Verdugo then that isn’t that great. Other teams aren’t going to value him as much as dodger fans do. If he is so great then why don’t you want to keep him? Trade might just be to dump Price.
I would of never signed Price. Never extended Sale. And Bradley Jr would be a free agent. Would of had plenty of salary to make one more run with Betts.
Deleted Userrr
Padres and Dodgers need to put deadlines on their offers at this point.
Bruin1012
Padres don’t have an offer if the Dodgers are willing to take on Price with Betts and give the Red Sox Verdugo plus. This assumes Verdugo’s and Prices medicals are ok and that the Red Sox are eating a potion of the Price deal.
g8752
Seems like it would be so much more logical to take David Price out of the deal because no one apparently wants him with his current contract and it seems foolish for the Red Sox to pay half of his contract and trade him to another team. If David Price isn’t worth at least half of his contract then anybody that goes into a long-term contract ought to have their head examined. I can’t stress it enough that long-term contracts are not the way to go. These guys have no incentive to produce after they get the contract. Give me a Young and Hungry guy anytime versus a big contract long-term guy. I know there are exceptions but why don’t you go ahead and name me the ones that are and have been worth their long-term contract it might be easier than listing the people that haven’t been worth it.
SG
I totally see what you mean g8752.
Just look at this list, read it and weep.
And I stopped grading after the first 50+
And I was generous on grading with an &.
LOL
$ – Definite Bad Contracts
& – The Jury’s still out Bad Contracts
# – Worth It Deals
Total Value
The most lucrative contracts in baseball history, by total value:
& 1. Mike Trout, $426,500,000 (2019-30)
& 2. Bryce Harper, $330,000,000 (2019-31)
& 3. Giancarlo Stanton, $325,000,000 (2015-27)
& 4. Gerrit Cole, $324,000,000 (2020-28)
& 5. Manny Machado, $300,000,000 (2019-28)
$ 6. Alex Rodriguez, $275,000,000 (2008-17)
# 7. Nolan Arenado, $260,000,000 (2019-26)
$ 8. Alex Rodriguez, $252,000,000 (2001-10)
$ 9. Miguel Cabrera, $248,000,000 (2016-23)
& 10. Stephen Strasburg, $245,000,000 (2020-26)
& … Anthony Rendon, $245,000,000 (2020-26)
$ 12. Albert Pujols, $240,000,000 (2012-21)
$ … Robinson Cano, $240,000,000 (2014-23)
$ 14. Joey Votto, $225,000,000 (2014-23)
$ 15. David Price, $217,000,000 (2016-22)
& 16. Clayton Kershaw, $215,000,000 (2014-20)
$ 17. Prince Fielder, $214,000,000 (2012-20)
# 18. Max Scherzer, $210,000,000 (2015-21)
& 19. Zack Greinke, $206,500,000 (2016-21)
# 20. Derek Jeter, $189,000,000 (2001-10)
$ 21. Joe Mauer, $184,000,000 (2011-18)
$ . Jason Heyward, $184,000,000 (2016-23)
$ 23. Mark Teixeira, $180,000,000 (2009-16)
#. . . Justin Verlander, $180,000,000 (2013-19)
$25. Felix Hernandez, $175,000,000 (2013-19)
.# . . Stephen Strasburg, $175,000,000 (2017-23)
& 27. Buster Posey, $167,000,000 (2013-21)
& 28. Jose Altuve, $163,500,000 (2018-24)
& 29. CC Sabathia, $161,000,000 (2009-15)
$ . Chris Davis, $161,000,000 (2016-22)
# 31. Manny Ramirez, $160,000,000 (2001-08)
.$ . Matt Kemp, $160,000,000 (2012-19)
$ 33. Troy Tulowitzki, $157,750,000 (2011-20)
# 34. Masahiro Tanaka, $155,000,000 (2014-20)
.&. . Jon Lester, $155,000,000 (2015-20)
& 36. Adrian Gonzalez, $154,000,000 (2012-18)
$ 37. Jacoby Ellsbury, $153,000,000 (2014-20)
# 38. Miguel Cabrera, $152,300,000 (2008-15)
& 39. Zack Greinke, $147,000,000 (2013-18)
& 40. Chris Sale, $145,000,000 (2020-24)
# 41. Mike Trout, $144,500,000 (2015-20)
& 42. Cole Hamels, $144,000,000 (2013-18)
.& . . Eric Hosmer, $144,000,000 (2018-25)
$ 44. Carl Crawford, $142,000,000 (2011-17)
# 45. Todd Helton, $141,500,000 (2003-11)
& 46. Patrick Corbin, $140,000,000 (2019-24)
$ 47. David Wright, $138,000,000 (2013-20)
$ 48. Johan Santana, $137,500,000 (2008-13)
& . . Jacob deGrom, $137,500,000 (2019-23)
&50. Alfonso Soriano, $136,000,000 (2007-14)
# 51. Freddie Freeman, $135,000,000 (2014-21)
& 52. Justin Upton, $132,750,000 (2016-21)
& 53. Shin-Soo Choo, $130,000,000 (2014-20)
$. . . Johnny Cueto, $130,000,000 (2016-21)
.& . . Paul Goldschmidt, $130,000,000 (2020-24)
& 56. Matt Cain, $127,500,000 (2012-17)
57. Barry Zito, $126,000,000 (2007-13)
. . . Vernon Wells, $126,000,000 (2008-14)
. . . Jayson Werth, $126,000,000 (2011-17)
. . . Yu Darvish, $126,000,000 (2018-23)
61. Ryan Howard, $125,000,000 (2012-16)
. . . Josh Hamilton, $125,000,000 (2013-17)
63. CC Sabathia, $122,000,000 (2012-16)
64. Mike Hampton, $121,000,000 (2001-08)
65. Jason Giambi, $120,000,000 (2002-08)
. . . Matt Holliday, $120,000,000 (2010-16)
. . . Cliff Lee, $120,000,000 (2011-15)
. . . Elvis Andrus, $120,000,000 (2015-22)
. . . Xander Bogaerts, $120,000,000 (2020-25)
70. Carlos Beltran, $119,000,000 (2005-11)
71. Zack Wheeler, $118,000,000 (2020-24)
72. Ken Griffey Jr., $116,500,000 (2000-08)
73. Jordan Zimmermann, $110,000,000 (2016-20)
. . . Dustin Pedroia, $110,000,000 (2014-21)
. . . Yoenis Cespedes, $110,000,000 (2017-20)
. . . J.D. Martinez, $110,000,000 (2018-22)
77. Charlie Blackmon, $108,000,000 (2018-23)
78. Jose Reyes, $106,000,000 (2012-17)
. . . Justin Upton, $106,000,000 (2018-22)
80. Kevin Brown, $105,000,000 (1999-2005)
. . . Homer Bailey, $105,000,000 (2014-19)
. . . Ryan Braun, $105,000,000 (2016-20)
83. Albert Pujols, $100,000,000 (2004-10)
. . . Carlos Lee, $100,000,000 (2007-12)
. . . Ryan Zimmerman, $100,000,000 (2014-19)
. . . Evan Longoria, $100,000,000 (2017-22)
. . . Kyle Seager, $100,000,000 (2015-21)
. . . Alex Bregman, $100,000,000 (2020-24)
. . . Ronald Acuna, $100,000,000 (2019-26)
90. Adam Wainwright, $97,500,000 (2014-18)
91. Pablo Sandoval, $95,000,000 (2015-19)
92. Clayton Kershaw, $93,000,000 (2019-21)
93. Josh Donaldson, $92,000,000 (2020-23)
94. Carlos Zambrano, $91,500,000 (2008-12)
95. Mike Piazza, $91,000,000 (1999-2005)
96. Chipper Jones, $90,000,000 (2001-06)
. . . Barry Bonds, $90,000,000 (2002-06)
. . . Scott Rolen, $90,000,000 (2003-10)
. . . Torii Hunter, $90,000,000 (2008-12)
. . . Ichiro Suzuki, $90,000,000 (2008-12)
. . . Hunter Pence, $90,000,000 (2014-18)
. . . Jeff Samardzija, $90,000,000 (2016-20)
Pads Fans
Each point of WAR on the contracts listed is worth $7.5-9.25 million depending on when they played. Start again you will find that you are wrong on most if not all.
More than 50% have provided the team with surplus value on the field. That does not include things like additional ticket sales and sponsorships.
Pads Fans
If you just go with pitchers its much higher.
padreforlife
Ok Buster Olney
Pads Fans
Since when has Acee ever gotten a prediction right? AFTER the fact he is often the the first person to get all the details out, but his predictions are pretty close to 100% wrong.
padreforlife
Like Dennis Lin a hack