Mookie Betts 2020 season: Dodgers have 3 options, one will surprise you

Option 3: Wait and See

Probably the most likely of the three options as circumstances might dictate the terms, the Dodgers could just wait and see what happens over the next several months, neither extending Betts, nor trading him, simply hoping he is a part of a special season in 2020, and they can go from there.

While there are no clear benefits to this option other than whatever risk you place on Betts potentially getting injured in 2020, which, God forbid, if serious enough, could alter his long-term value, it is the path teams are usually forced to follow with superstar free agents like Betts.

After winning an MVP award, three Silver Slugger awards, four Gold Gloves, a batting title, appearing in four All-Star games, and winning a world championship, at the prime age of 27, Betts has earned the right to test the market and search for the largest contract possible.

Luckily, for the Dodgers, they happen to be in very good position to offer him the largest contract. They are currently estimated to have $117 million of salary on the books in 2021, well below the luxury tax threshold of $210 million (of course numbers could change based on how revenue is impacted by the coronavirus).

The Dodgers can also hedge their bet on Betts by making him a qualifying offer, and thus, they would receive a compensation pick if he eventually signed elsewhere. They wouldn’t really lose him for nothing at that point, they would at least gain an extra draft pick in what now promises to be a deep 2021 draft.

A lot of options for the Dodgers to consider.

Thanks for reading! Keep checking back for Dodgers news, analysis, and historical perspective as we wait for the season to begin.