Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Believes Added ‘Pressure’ Comes From Others After Winning MVP Award
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Believes Added ‘Pressure’ Comes From Others After Winning MVP Award

Matt Borelli
June 8, 2020
3 Min Read
Mookie Betts, 2020 Spring Training
Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Despite a relatively quiet start to the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers wound up making one of the biggest splashes by acquiring Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox last month. The blockbuster trade saw Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs and Connor Wong head to Boston.

The addition of Betts gave the Dodgers an unprecedented three former MVP winners on the roster. Clayton Kershaw was named National League MVP in 2014, Betts won the American League version of the award in 2018, and Cody Bellinger most recently took home honors last season.

Bellinger was able to parlay his accolade into the largest salary for any first-year arbitration-eligible player, agreeing to a one-year, $11.5 million contract for the 2020 season.

While Betts is a full year removed from his MVP campaign, he admitted there was more pressure following the 2018 campaign but much of that was external, via href=”https://www.ocregister.com/2020/03/05/will-things-change-for-cody-bellinger-now-that-he-has-an-mvp-award/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

“Obviously opportunities come off the field,” Betts said of the MVP aftermath. “Those are things that you can’t really control, you can’t do anything about. I think a lot of things change but it’s not because you go out and try to make them change. People change around you. You may feel a little more pressure because you were an MVP and now have to back it up. But I think that’s all from other people.”

In 136 games during the 2018 season, Betts led the AL in batting average (.346), slugging percentage (.640) and runs scored. He hit an overall .346/.438/.640 with 84 extra-base hits in 614 plate appearances, accumulating 10.9 WAR for his efforts (Baseball-Reference).

Betts’ overall production dipped a bit last year, but he still thrived to the tune of a .295/.391/.524 batting line with 40 doubles, five triples, 29 home runs, 80 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 706 plate appearances (150 games).

Betts now hopes to make a seamless transition to the NL and is already having a positive impact on the Dodgers clubhouse. He took on a leadership role and is being lauded for creating a system that requires players to pay a fee for every miscue during Cactus League workouts and games.

Betts’ presence presumably will alleviate some of the pressure on Bellinger, as the Dodgers’ lineup appears all the more potent. Of course, that’s contingent on a 2020 season being played.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersMookie Betts
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Progressive Field view, rain delay, tarp
Dodgers NewsFeaturedGame Central

Dodgers Rain Delay: Wednesday’s Game Against Guardians Suspended; Doubleheader Added To Schedule

August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
Clayton-kershaw5
Game Central

Preview: Clayton Kershaw Attempts To End Losing Streak In Series Finale Against Padres

May 1, 2016
May 2, 2016
Dodgers Secure Pitching, Catching Depth With 40-man Additions Prior To Rule 5 Draft
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Jacob Rhame Sent To Mets To Complete Curtis Granderson Trade

August 20, 2017
August 20, 2017
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, 2022 Spring Training
Dodgers News

Mookie Betts Scratched; Freddie Freeman Returns To Dodgers Lineup For Exhibition Freeway Series

March 23, 2025
March 23, 2025

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어