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Dodgers: Should the Dodgers trade for Mookie Betts this off-season?
Although the World Series has yet to end, there is already talk about a possible Mookie Betts trade. Should the Dodgers trade for the talented slugger?
The Astros and Nationals are still finishing up the World Series but soon the hot stove season will pick up and the Dodgers will begin looking for ways to improve their club for the 2020 season and beyond. One of the big names that could be on the trade market is Red Sox slugger Mookie Betts who has seen his name surface in rumors since August.
Further fueling rumors of a possible Betts trade is the Boston Red Sox looking to shed payroll and attempt to get under the luxury tax. Mookie is projected to make around $27 million next season in his final season before free agency. He has already turned down an eight-year 200 million dollar extension so Boston could be looking to deal him and collect assets while shedding payroll.
Should the Dodgers make a play for a star about to hit free agency after the 2020 season? Here are the pros and cons of dealing for Mookie Betts.
Why the Dodgers should trade for Mookie Betts
Switching things up from the obvious, that Mookie Betts can flat out hit, let us start with his defense that is underappreciated. Mookie is once again a finalist for the American League gold glove in right field and he has won a gold glove in each of the last three seasons.
Not only can Betts play right field, but he has also played centerfield and second base in the past so he features one of the traits that the Dodgers’ front office loves, versatility. The Dodgers could keep Betts in right field and play Cody Bellinger in centerfield with Verdugo in left. That would give LA an outfield with two gold glove finalists and another very good fielder in Alex Verdugo.
Back to the offensive side of things, Mookie Betts would help end platoons in the Dodger outfield as he is elite against both left and right-handed pitching. Over the last three seasons, Mookie has posted an OPS of .977 against southpaws and .907 against right-handers. Betts would give the Dodgers two elite sluggers in Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts in addition to Max Muncy who is not quite a star but he is a very good hitter.
Like Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts would also give the Dodgers another 30-30 candidate. While Cody has yet to put an emphasis on stealing bases, Betts had a 30-30 season in 2018 although his stolen base amount fell to 16 in 2019. One way to improve the Dodger offense for 2020 is to inject more speed into the lineup and adding Mookie Betts would do that.
Reasons why the Dodgers shouldn’t trade for Mookie Betts
One of the main reasons why the Dodgers shouldn’t trade for Mookie Betts is that it would be a risky move with Betts one season away from free agency. He has already rejected one contract offer and seems set on testing the free-agent waters after the 2020 season. Unless the Dodgers plan on offering Mookie a monster contract, they would be getting him for one season.
That leads us to the next reason to be against a Mookie Betts trade which is the player cost. Bleacher Report recently came up with possible trade packages for Mookie Betts and from the Dodgers, they suggested Joc Pederson, Dustin May, and Dennis Santana.
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Joc and Santana would be a no brainer but including May for one season of Betts could backfire as much as the Yordan Alvarez trade. Dustin May has frontline starter potential so if he is going to be cashed in as a trade chip, the Dodgers should look for a player that is under control for at least a few seasons.
In addition to giving up a premier young pitching talent like May, Mookie Betts would take up at least 27 million of the Dodgers’ payroll space for the 2020 season. Acquiring him would essentially rule out any other big upgrades like Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg. While the Dodgers’ offense could always use another star slugger, they need a number two starter behind Walker Buehler.
Trading for Betts would essentially be one of those “going all in” type moves although nothing would come guaranteed as far as postseason success. Betts himself has struggled in the postseason, posting a slash line of .227/.313/.341 with just one home run across 88 postseason at-bats.
Next. What caused Corey Seager's subpar 2019 season?. dark
The Mookie Betts trade rumors will be just one more topic for Dodger fans to follow this off-season. Andrew Friedman is always good for at least one surprise trade each off-season. One thing is for sure and that is Knox Kelly hoping the Dodgers do land Mookie in a trade this winter.