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Dodgers: Which player fits best in LA, Mookie Betts or Francisco Lindor?

By Michael Wittman

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 21: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base after walking during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 21, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 21: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base after walking during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 21, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 26: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run, his third of the game in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 26, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Why Mookie Betts is the better fit for the Dodgers

Mookie Betts definitely has a more natural fit for the Dodgers than Francisco Lindor.  Acquiring Lindor would set off a chain reaction of position changes especially if Corey Seager remained in Los Angeles.  Betts, on the other hand, would start in right field and keep Cody Bellinger in centerfield which provides the least “shake up” for the rest of the Dodgers’ roster.  Betts is also in a contract year so he should cost fewer prospects to acquire as he is a rental.

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Not only is Mookie a power hitter but he has also won four straight gold gloves in right field for the American League.  On top of his stellar defense, Betts is a base stealer who has stolen as many as 30 bases in a single season.  Adding Betts to the top of the Dodgers’ order would ignite a Dodger offense that tends to struggle to produce runs in the postseason.

Then there is the possibility that David Price comes attached to David Price.  If the Dodgers were to take on Price then the price to acquire Betts would be significantly lower.  LA could even try to offload a bigger contract like A.J. Pollock if they were to take on David Price to offset some of the salaries the Dodgers would be bringing back.  Price would replace the innings lost with Hyun-Jin Ryu’s departure so he would still bring some value to LA.

Next. Possible trade packages the Dodgers could send for Betts. dark

To make the discussion much more simple, let’s say the Dodgers trade for Betts without taking on David Price’s contract.  The prospect cost to acquire him will be much less than Francisco Lindor who has two seasons of control left and the Indians aren’t quite ready to part with him yet unless they’re overwhelmed.  Mookie Betts would fit onto the Dodgers’ roster a lot better than Francisco Lindor would, making him the better fit.

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