Dodgers: Mookie Betts makes more sense for LA than Francisco Lindor

The Dodgers are continuing to pursue a trade for either Mookie Betts or Francisco Lindor.  While both players are stars, only one of them fits perfectly in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers have been involved in plenty of rumors this off-season ranging from Gerrit Cole to Josh Donaldson.  Lately, the rumors have been trade related with Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor being the primary trade targets.  Lindor rumors are nothing new as those first surfaced back in October before the World Series came to an end.  The rumors involving Betts were always an idea but this week more concrete rumors came out.

While either addition would be huge for the Dodgers and increase their World Series odds, there is only one move that is perfect for the 2020 team and that is trading for Mookie Betts.  Whether a potential trade would bring back David Price or just be for Betts alone, he makes far more sense for next year’s team.  Here are three reasons why Mookie Betts makes more sense for the Dodgers to acquire.

Prospect package for Betts is much more favorable

For Francisco Lindor, the Indians continue to insist on Gavin Lux coming back in a potential deal.  The Dodgers are refusing to include their top prospect for two seasons of Lindor which is smart.  Dustin May has been another ask for Cleveland but the Dodgers are unlikely to include May unless Mike Clevinger is coming back to LA which would only increase the quality of prospects going to Cleveland.

Mookie Betts would also take a prospect haul to get to Los Angeles but the Dodgers could lower the price for Betts if they take on David Price’s contract.  Price has three seasons left on his deal for $96 million.  If the Dodgers take on most of his contract the Red Sox are not going to get back any of LA’s top prospects.

Andrew Friedman could even try to get the Red Sox to take back A.J. Pollock’s contract which would slash $12 million off of Price’s $32 million dollar salary each of the next three seasons.  Friedman has been unwilling to deal top prospects during his tenure with the Dodgers and it’s hard to blame him considering the results.  Taking on Price would make the Bett’s prospect haul minimal versus depleting the farm system for Francisco Lindor and possibly Clevinger.

Mookie Betts fits the Dodger lineup better

If the Dodgers were to acquire Mookie Betts, he would slide into his regular position of right field without shifting around the rest of the Dodger lineup.  The Dodgers can either trade away an outfielder like Joc Pederson while letting Alex Verdugo get the bulk of the starts in left field.  A.J. Pollock could be the fourth outfielder getting some starts against left-handed pitching where he excelled in 2019.

The Dodger outfield would be dynamic both offensively and defensively with an alignment of Verdugo, Bellinger, and Mookie Betts.  That would be one of the best defensive outfields in baseball and help a starting rotation that is suddenly looking a lot younger for 2020.  If the blue were to acquire Francisco Lindor, the roster would go through a shakeup of sorts.

If the Dodgers did not include Corey Seager in a deal for Lindor, the Dodgers would need to shift Seager over to third base with Justin Turner shifting across the diamond to first base.  Then Max Muncy would slide over from first base to second base and Gavin Lux would be out of a regular position.  Lux could be tried in the outfield although that could affect his offensive performance by shifting around positions.

Corey Seager could be included in a deal that would free up shortstop for Lindor but that brings up the next issue.