While the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox just before the start of Spring Training to acquire a former MVP in Mookie Betts and Cy Young Award winner in David Price, it did come at a cost.
The Dodgers gave up two of their top prospects in the trade in Jeter Downs and Connor Wong, as well as outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was coming off a solid rookie campaign in 2019 and has a bright future ahead at just 24 years of age.
Verdugo showed Red Sox fans just what he is capable of on Friday night, hitting two opposite-field home runs over the Green Monster and then robbing a home run in the ninth inning to help secure a 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
After the game, Verdugo was asked if he is trying to replace Betts or fill his shoes, and he explained why that is not the case, via Chris Cotillo of Mass Live:
“I’m not replacing him,” Verdugo said after Boston’s 5-3 win over the Blue Jays. “Yeah, he played here, but this is a game. This is a business. He decided to go elsewhere. I’m not replacing him. That’s what you guys say. That’s what everybody else says. I’m going out there and playing right field, playing my game.
“I don’t think about Mookie,” he continued. “I think he’s a great player, he did a lot for Boston, and he’s going to do a lot for the Dodgers. I think about me being here and what I’m going to do and bring to the team. It’s not a comparable thing. I don’t like comparing it. I don’t like when people bring it up. Obviously, the nature of the trade, it’s going to happen. People are going to say it. I’m going to go out there. I’m gonna play my game and bring the energy that I bring. That’s how I always have been. I don’t care about shoes to fill or anything like that. I’m playing my game.”
Verdugo’s career with the Red Sox is off to a good start as in 11 games, he is hitting .294/.368/.559 with three home runs and four RBI.
While the Dodgers may have given up a lot in the trade, they did acquire one of the best players in baseball in Betts and were able to convince him to remain with the organization long-term, recently signing a 12-year extension.
Betts, Dodgers off to hot start
Much like Verdugo, Betts is also off to a good start in his career with the Dodgers and is a big reason why the team sits at 10-4.
After homering in Friday night’s win over the San Francisco Giants, Betts is now hitting .306/.370/.612 with six doubles, three home runs and seven RBI in 13 games.
With both players succeeding in their new homes, this could end up being a win-win type of trade for the Dodgers and Red Sox, who dealt their franchise cornerstone in order to get below the luxury tax threshold.
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