Dodgers: What the Mookie Betts trade means for the NL West
The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their off-season of inaction by acquiring both Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox. What does this mean for the rest of the NL West?
A lot of people have been critical of the Los Angeles Dodgers for their inaction this off-season. Well, they responded to that criticism loud and clear last night by dealing Kenta Maeda to the Minnesota Twins and Alex Verdugo the Boston Red Sox for Mookie Betts and David Price.
This is big news not only for the Dodgers but for the rest of the NL West. Almost every team made deals to improve upon last season’s roster. They were all feeling pretty good about the off-season until they saw the Betts news last night.
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The Dodgers getting Betts is an absolute steal. I wouldn’t consider this a one-year rental as I’m sure the front office is already working to get him to sign a deal this season to not let him hit free agency. It also doesn’t seem like they gave up to much to get him.
They will almost certainly not have to pay all of Price’s contract and gave up two players in this deal. I’m not quite sure why the Red Sox felt they had to make this move, but it’s done and that is bad news for the NL West.
He is being added to an already devastating lineup. He will be added with the likes of Max Muncy, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, and Gavin Lux. Who do you pitch around? Honestly, none of these options are good ones for opposing pitchers.
One of the most potent lineups has suddenly improved. I honestly didn’t think they could get any better, but here they go and add the 2018 AL MVP.
In his short six-year career, Mookie Betts is slashing .301/.374/.519 with 139 home runs and 470 RBI’s. He is a four-time Gold Glover, four-time All-Star and a three-time silver slugger.
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Last season the Los Angeles Dodgers finished 21 games ahead of the nearest NL West competitor and unfortunately, the gap just became wider.