On the eve of Opening Day, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced a historic 12-year contract extension with Mookie Betts. The deal is worth a reported $365 million, which makes it the second-largest in Major League Baseball history behind only Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the L.A. Angels.
The long-term extension removes a potential distraction in a season that is going to be unlike any other. When the Dodgers first acquired Betts in February, the expectation was that he would test free agency at the end of the year.
This belief was fueled by the 27-year-old reportedly turning down multiple contract extension offers from the Boston Red Sox last season. However, the Dodgers were not deterred by this and ultimately locked up their newest superstar for the next decade-plus.
Betts, in all likelihood, will now spend the remainder of his career in L.A. According to Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times, his mega deal does not include an opt out or no-trade clause:
It does not include an opt-out clause or a no-trade clause.
Opt-out clauses are typically included in long-term contracts, giving players the ability to test free agency again if they desire. Betts won’t have that opportunity, nor a chance to reject a trade over the lifetime of his contract with the Dodgers.
Betts prioritizing World Series championships with Dodgers
Just now entering the prime of his career, Betts’ resume is already filled with a plethora of accolades. He was named the American League MVP in 2018 — the same year he led the Red Sox to a World Series championship over the Dodgers.
With so much more baseball to play, Betts’ top priority is helping L.A. win multiple rings in the coming years. “The time that I’ve been here, the people here made me feel so comfortable,” he noted.
“Like I said, the talent all up and down the Minor Leagues, everybody in the front office, from the owner on down, everybody is amazing. This organization is a well-oiled machine and I love it. I’m super, super excited to be a part of it for the next 13 years. Like I said, got to bring some rings back to L.A.”
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