The Boston Red Sox roster could look quite different come 2020, as they are reportedly discussing trading superstar Mookie Betts.
While there is no question that Mike Trout is the best player in the majors right now, there may not be much of a debate for the second best player either. Boston Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts has established himself as just a shade behind Trout in the MLB hierarchy. It would seemingly be ridiculous to think that a player of that stature would ever be traded.
And yet, that is exactly what the Red Sox may end up doing. According to reports, the Red Sox and Dodgers have had “exploratory” talks about a trade involving Betts, even if these discussions are secondary to a possible trade for Francisco Lindor.
Even the fact that the Red Sox are having preliminary talks about Betts signals a definitive shift in their mindset. Previously, Boston continually tried to get Betts to engage in extension talks, despite his refusal to begin such a discussion. This refusal likely stems from the Red Sox first attempt to sign Betts to an extension, where their offer was far below anything that he had considered fair market value.
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After seeing the contracts handed out to Anthony Rendon and Gerrit Cole, as well as the extension signed by Trout, Betts is set to cash in during free agency. He seemingly has zero interest in giving the Red Sox the “home team discount,” nor in really staying with a franchise that made such an insulting offer all those years ago. Betts, in all likelihood, is gone after this season.
With that being the case, it makes sense for the Red Sox to explore all options when it comes to his future. He does not want to be in Boston. Unless they are willing to outbid the competition during free agency, he will be long gone before the 2021 campaign.
Even if the Dodgers decide to take a different path and move on from trade talks for Betts, the Red Sox would have plenty of suitors. Virtually any team that has postseason aspirations would want Betts on their roster, even if he would be nothing more than a one year rental.
However, making such a trade would be a major step. It would be the defining moment of Chaim Bloom’s tenure with the Red Sox; get the right prospects, and he could hasten a rebuild. Otherwise, if those players flame out, Bloom would be ripped asunder, dealing one of the best players in the game for a collection of basically nothing.
It is still a move he needs to make. The Boston Red Sox are reportedly discussing a trade involving Mookie Betts, and it is a deal that needs to be done.