Red Sox chairman takes cheap shot at Dodgers after Mookie Betts contract extension

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner sounds a bit hurt over the Dodgers signing Mookie Betts.

As the 2020 season looked in peril due to the coronavirus pandemic and financial wrangling between the owners and players, the Red Sox’ decision to trade Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Verdugo and two prospects was looking better and better.

If the entire season was canceled, there was a chance that Betts would never play in a Dodgers uniform, despite the team forfeiting a fairly high price to acquire him. The 2018 American League MVP would have hit the open market whether games were played or not this season.

Obviously, baseball is back. And on the eve of opening night the Dodgers surprised everyone by announcing they had already reached a 12-year contract extension with their new superstar outfielder.

Talking about the signing on a Boston radio show on Friday, Red Sox chairman Tom Werner sounded a bit hurt.

“When people are partying in Los Angeles, I just want to remind Los Angeles … that in the last 20 years, Los Angeles has won zero World Series and the Red Sox have won four,” Werner said in discussing Betts on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni, and Fauria” on Friday. “So I’ve got nothing to be complaining about regarding our past, and we think we made the right decision at the time.”

Mookie Betts turned down Boston’s extension offer before being traded to the Dodgers.

Boston reportedly offered Betts $300 million to stay on the East Coast, but he countered with a $420 million asking price, leading the team to believe he had his mind set on hitting free agency, so rather than risk losing him for nothing, they decided to trade him.

The world changed since Betts was traded to Los Angeles. The coronavirus pandemic has forced MLB to return without fans in attendance, which will deeply impact league revenues. However, that didn’t seem to bother the Dodgers in signing Betts to a 12-year, $365 contract extension on Wednesday.

Often overlooked in the deal, the Dodgers also acquired left-hander David Price from Boston. He came as financial relief to the Red Sox, since the Dodgers will pick up half of his remaining salary. Price decided to opt out of playing in 2020 due to concerns about the pandemic.

Betts made his Dodger debut on Thursday, using his baserunning ability to steal a run on a ground ball to second base. Running on contact, he was able to score from third despite the infield playing in. Just a small start to what should be a Hall-of-Fame finish in Los Angeles for Betts.