MLB Trades: Five bold predictions for the 2020 season

Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades

Red Sox ship David Price to the Braves, not Mookie Betts

If you have been remotely following the MLB offseason, you would know that the biggest storyline has been whether or not the Red Sox will trade their superstar outfielder, Mookie Betts. The former MVP has turned down multiple long-term extension offers from the Red Sox in the past. So, with one year of arbitration left before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, many have speculated that the Red Sox will try to move him in order to maximize their return on him.

However, while a trade involving Betts would undoubtedly be the blockbuster trade of the offseason, it is not as simple as some people may think. As I mentioned, he has one year left of arbitration before he hits the free-agent market in 2021. That means any team wishing to trade him would have to pay $28 million for one year of Mookie. His rejection of long-term extensions proves he is intent on hitting free agency, where he could score a contract similar to Bryce Harper.

So, with little leverage, it might be wise for new Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom think of other ways to lighten the Red Sox’ payroll this offseason. One way to start is by off-loading some of their expensive starting pitching. David Price, Chris Sale, and Nathan Eovaldi all have huge contracts could be moved. While all three have failed to remain healthy in recent years, they all still have value.

So which of these expensive starters are most likely to be moved? Well, Sale just recently signed a massive five-year/$145 million extension with the Red Sox. With his recent elbow issues, it is impossible to see any team willing to take on that contract. Eovaldi signed a much cheaper extension, but his injury history makes him a high-risk, medium reward trade candidate.

So that leaves us with David Price. Price’s time with the Red Sox has been very up and down, with some great peaks and ugly valleys. Still, he is under the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history, although that will probably be broken by the likes of Gerrit Cole this offseason. He too, like Sale and Eovaldi, missed significant time this season with injuries. However, the Red Sox could eat a significant part of his contract in order to move him for prospects. He is more likely than Sale and Eovaldi because he is at the end of his massive contract, which makes him more attractive to a team like the Braves, who need a starting pitcher and are already legitimate contenders.