Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
If the Dodgers are going to make a big splash before Spring Training, they’re running out of time. Luckily, it seems like the Mookie Betts saga will come to a close this week.
Note: You can find all our Betts coverage here.
From the article:
“Major league sources familiar with the trade negotiations between the Red Sox and the Padres and Dodgers believe that a decision could come within the next few days. According to sources, both San Diego and Los Angeles have outlined multiple trade offers for the 2018 AL MVP, with talks with both teams at a relatively advanced stage — though according to a source with one of those teams, the Red Sox have no made a request for a last and best offer for their superstar right fielder.”
I wrote on Friday that Alex Verdugo could be the key to the Dodgers landing Betts. The Padres have better high-end pitching talent in their farm system (MacKenzie Gore, Luis Patino) to offers, but they (smartly) aren’t likely to give up either to get Betts. They’re attempting to headline a Betts deal with catcher Luis Campusano, the 2019 California League MVP, in addition to a younger pitcher like Joey Lucchesi or Cal Quantrill and a young MLB outfielder in Manuel Margot.
Peter Gammons seems to believe the Dodgers’ offer for Betts is Verdugo, Jeter Downs and Caleb Ferguson, which is a no-brainer for the Dodgers, if true. Campusano might eventually be the best player of all between the two packages, but Verdugo is easily the current best and is a year removed from being a Top 30-40 prospect. Downs had a breakout season after coming over from the Reds in the Yasiel Puig trade, while Ferguson — who some believe could still start — seemingly took a step back in 2019 after a strong 2018 debut. Also, Verdugo and Ferguson are making near the MLB minimum salary, while the Padres are wanting to attach Wil Myers (and his $13.83 million CBT number over the next three years) to a Betts deal. That seems to favor the Dodgers.
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The Dodgers don’t need to make this deal. However, it would be amazing to see them acquire one of the best players in baseball in a year when teams like the Braves and Reds have made significant offseason additions and the reigning World Series champions reside in Washington D.C. Betts wouldn’t guarantee a title, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt matters, either.
Emphatically, yes please!
