Dodgers: Possible trade packages for Mookie Betts/David Price deal

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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 16: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with David Price #24 and Xander Bogaerts #2 after hitting a go ahead two run double to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 at Fenway Park on August 16, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers have been connected to Mookie Betts for much of the offseason. What sort of player packages coming from LA could make this deal a reality?

Since missing out on the biggest stars of free agency, the Dodgers front office reportedly has begun to focus more intently on adding impact players via trade. This offseason, players like Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, and more all have been floated around as potential offseason blockbuster pieces, with former AL Cy Young Corey Kluber already headed to the Texas Rangers.

From the perspective of a Dodgers fan, adding one of these pieces seems to be the last piece to a World Series puzzle that has eluded the front office for three straight seasons. Even as Andrew Friedman brought in Yu Darvish and Manny Machado on deals at the deadline, the Dodgers still failed. Those teams were less than complete, and inserting a star for 60+ games did not do the trick. Even for a mostly-healthy 2019 squad, the star power on the Washington Nationals overpowered that of LA, leading to an early exit in the NLDS.

With the team poised to add a star, the next logical question becomes “Who would the Dodgers be dealing to acquire such a player?” A few weeks back, I discussed possible trade packages for Lindor.

Now that top prospect Lux is likely off the table according to Jon Heyman, the front office will certainly need to be creative to get a deal done, which may range from involving a deeper prospect package, more MLB-ready players, or more than likely some combination of the two.

In this article, I’ll run through all of the generally reasonable potential options (in my opinion at least) for a trade between the Dodgers and Red Sox involving sending Betts (and Price) to LA.

BOSTON, MA – JULY 30: David Price #10 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

MLB-ready package for Betts/Price

The Red Sox have been relatively inactive so far this offseason. While they finished 84-78, the BoSox were still 19 games back of their rivals in the Bronx in the New York Yankees. Without any really pressing need to win a ring after their 2018 World Series championship win over the Dodgers, the Red Sox may find it compelling to dump some salary and retool their Major League roster for the future, which will probably be built around Rafael Devers and Xander Boagaerts, a third baseman and shortstop.

With that in mind, how can the Dodgers contribute big-leaguers to this sort of team that is stuck between a bloated payroll and a transitional phase in an uber-competitive division in the AL East?

For starters, the Dodgers may need to take on David Price and his three-year, $96 million that is left on his contract with Boston. By taking on Price, the Dodgers could lessen the cost for Betts, the real key to any deal with the BoSox.

So, if the Red Sox don’t need help on the left side of their infield, what can the Dodgers offer?

LA has plenty of depth at the MLB level, so any deal with Boston is likely to include more than two or three pieces. The best fits with the Red Sox current roster would seem to be utility men and cost-controlled young bats, though young starting/relief help could certainly be appreciated.

The Red Sox have plenty of organizational infield depth, with Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec (a pair of third baseman with the ability to play at second base) both primed for big 2020 seasons. The team also added Jose Peraza, a former Dodgers prospect, this offseason. Peraza can play the middle infield positions and centerfield (to a certain extent). Because of these players, Chris Taylor and/or Kiké Hernandez may be less likely to be included in a deal for Price and Betts.

That means that the outfield is the best place to deal from, right?

Maybe. The team would certainly have to replace Betts in right field, even though left and center field are manned by Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., a pair that is likely to remain together in Boston for the foreseeable future. With this pair in mind, the Dodgers could send Joc Pederson, A.J. Pollock or Matt Beaty over to play the outfield in this sort of trade. All are relatively cheap with decent power and some on-base skills. While Pollock is older and a little pricier, Beaty would certainly be a valuable piece, especially if coupled with a up-and-comer like Edwin Rios (who could be a promising DH in the future).

Alongside any bat would likely be a pitcher. While Ross Stripling, Kenta Maeda, and Tony Gonsolin all could make sense, all three are popular in the clubhouse and amongst Dodgers fans, so dealing them may sting too much for the front office to take. If Friedman is serious about acquiring Betts though, one or two of these starters may have to go, that is unless a few pitching prospects make their way into the deal…

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Keibert Ruiz #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team bats against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Prospect package (Ruiz, White, and depth)

The Dodgers have plenty of prospect depth at or near the top of their system, even without dealing Lux for a rental in Betts.

The main name that is often connected to teams dealing with LA is Keibert Ruiz, the catching prospect whose 2019 injuries kept him from competing with Will Smith to come up and join the big league club.

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Ruiz, the Dodgers top hitting prospect behind Lux, should have the prospect pedigree to be the centerpiece of a deal, especially if he is paired with Mitchell White, the starting pitching prospect that trails Dustin May (and maybe Dennis Santana depending on the rankings you find) as one of the top pitching prospects in the farm system.

These two players are strong enough to make at least a compelling argument for Betts, but maybe the Red Sox want some young pieces as well, even if they are not into the high minors like Ruiz and White. Ruiz played only nine games at Triple-A in 2019 and will turn 22 years old during the 2020 season; White reached Triple-A last season and will be 25 years old for the 2020 season.

Even though both of these players have plenty of upside, they are not likely to be enough for a new front office regime that is not looking to introduce itself to Boston by dealing the face of the franchise for a pair of prospects.

dark. Next. Why LA should go after David Price

Instead, the front office is likely to ask Friedman for combination of prospects and MLB-ready pieces to help meet the transitional Red Sox and their complex needs.

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The Dodgers have been connected to Mookie Betts for much of the offseason. What sort of player packages coming from LA could make this deal a reality?

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