With numerous reports claiming that a trade involving Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts is more likely than not happening, one must ask: Could the Boston Red Sox still have a chance to sign him in next year’s free agency?
If this is, in fact, a scenario that could go down, this would be one of the biggest steals in MLB history. Not only would the team be in a better position for the future, but for well into this decade. If they do trade Betts in exchange for some prospects and MLB-ready players, as well as salary relief if in fact David Price is thrown into the mix, it makes this scenario more realistic and scarier for opposing teams.
This would take some serious conversations between Mookie and his representatives, and Red Sox team ownership and Chaim Bloom. While there is no rule against this under the current CBA agreement, this would stir quite a controversy if said conversations have come up in recent discussion. It has been noted that the Red Sox are continuously staying in contact with Mookie Betts camp, but both sides are far off from an extension.
The Red Sox offered Mookie a 10-year, $300 million extension this offseason, only to be declined and countered with a 12-year, $420 million deal. While publicly speaking out during last season, he simply wants to test free agency, and he has earned that right to do so.
Unless the offer from management is up to par with paying the second-best player in baseball, it will definitely end up in a multiple team bidding war.
On Jan. 18, Chaim Bloom said that they have been in conversation with Mookie about an extension, but he simply wants to focus on 2020. You can see the argument to trade Betts from the front office point of view. Might as well get something of value from him in case he walks away and you get nothing from him. Regardless of the current situation between Mookie and the Red Sox, this is certainly an idea to keep an eye on, as he has expressed interest in staying in Boston for the long haul.
With less than two weeks to go until spring training, it will be exciting to see how this all plays out.
One Response
Nice Read!!! But I’m sure it shouldn’t be a problem to trade and then re-sign Mookie. I mean, the A’s used to trade the ORIGINAL GOAT … first to say the words “Greatest of All Time” – “THE MAN OF STEAL” Rickey Henderson! They did it more than once – however if they hadn’t Rickey would have fewer rings – and he would never have been on 2nd when Joe Carter hit his famous homer off of Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams in the 1993 World Series (one of my favorite childhood memories, btw, I was 12) but I can only remember thinking “WOW! That must be the coolest feeling in the world” … now I can kind of understand what my mom felt watching Mazeroski hit his walk off in game 7 against the Yankees in the 1960 World Series. But back to my point the A’s would trade Rickey when the weren’t the greatest but if a player truly wants to be somewhere – he’ll always come back. I can’t say that’s the deal with Betts – given he wanted Trout money which is still hysterical if you ask me – … still if he means what he says – and wants to stay in Boston? Then I say trade him, call his bluff and sign him to a good contract like $300 million for 10 years and if he agrees then he was for real. If not … he’s just talking to make the fans happy with him and not with the team. This is just from my experience and observations as a fan and writer but if Mookie wants to play in Boston, one season won’t keep him from doing so! And I hope that he wants to because it feels like he belongs there. I guess we’ll see.