The Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins have just completed the biggest blockbuster deal in recent memory.
Superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price have been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Verdugo and a top pitching prospect from the Minnesota Twins. The trade breakdown looks like this:
Dodgers receive:
- Mookie Betts
- David Price
- $50 million in salary
Red Sox receive:
- Alex Verdugo
- Brusdar Graterol, Twins top pitching prospect
Twins receive:
- Kenta Maeda
This trade was bound to happen and had been talked about for weeks and even months on end. The Dodgers were bound to make a blockbuster deal whether it was for Betts or Francisco Lindor from the Cleveland Indians.
Frankly, this is the better of the two options. The Dodgers get another superstar outfielder that is built for the Hollywood lifestyle. Just how good is Mookie Betts, though?
In 2018, Mookie Betts was the first player in MLB history to win the AL MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove Award and a World Series Championship. In his career, Betts has a impressive statline:
- .301 Batting Average, 139 Home Runs, 470 RBI’s, 4X All Star, 3X Silver Slugger, 4X Gold Glove
They also get veteran pitcher, David Price, that has seen better days in his career but is still useful to a playoff team such as the Dodgers.
Seeing Alex Verdugo get traded is something that hurts a little but, I can’t say that I’m completely upset. Verdugo is a great player that will thrive anywhere, he just didn’t get the playing time he needed in Los Angeles. At least in Boston he will be able to mature and play for a historic ball club.
On the other hand, Kenta Maeda is a loss that has two separate affects for the Dodgers. He was an average four or five starter but in the bullpen he was as dominant as any top tier closer. Playoff Kenta Maeda will be missed. Regular season, up and down, never know how good his performance will be, will not be missed.
Surely, when Maeda made comments about being unhappy with the way he was being used by the Dodgers last season, his name was most likely discussed in multiple deals. For Maeda, he can pitch in Minnesota and be a contributor to their young rotation and pitching staff.
All of our panic and bashing was put to rest last night as Andrew Friedman pulled off another monstrous trade. The Dodgers got that much better and will surely be the team to beat in the National League.
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