Boston Red Sox: Two players who could be dealt in blockbuster trades
By Ben Fadden
Mookie Betts
As I wrote, Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is going to be one of the hottest topics this winter in terms of if he will be traded or not.
He has one year remaining on his contract, and the Red Sox could be thinking about tearing it down and beginning a small rebuild, which would obviously result in John Henry not wanting to give Mookie Betts north of $300 million.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs all failed in making the World Series this year, and they all wish to get over the hump and Betts could be the missing piece.
The Dodgers have been unable to get to the top of the mountain in part because their MVP Cody Bellinger has struggled mightily in producing on the biggest stage. Adding Betts would take the pressure off him and could allow him to flourish hitting behind Betts.
The Braves are most likely going to be without Nick Markakis next season, as he is likely to retire so Betts could slide not just right into the middle of the lineup, but into right field at SunTrust park as well.
And finally the Cubs are in a weird position where they want to contend but also want to get back to being younger and Betts could be a great fit. They could trade Kyle Schwarber, who has had offensive success at Wrigley, to Boston where he could slide right into a DH spot if J.D. Martinez leaves or shifts to right field.
The next trade candidate could be highly sought after for his tremendous defensive ability…