On Tuesday the Los Angeles Dodgers reached an agreement to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price as part of a three-team trade with the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. However, more than 72 hours later, the blockbuster has yet to be completed.
With the Dodgers due to receive Betts and Price, the deal called for Alex Verdugo and Brusdar Graterol to land with the Red Sox, and Kenta Maeda was sent to the Twins. The delay stems from the Red Sox having issue with Graterol’s medicals, no longer viewing him as a starting pitching prospect and therefore seeking additional compensation.
As the saga continues to drag on, MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark voiced his displeasure with the process. “The proposed trades between the Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels need to be resolved without further delay,” Clark said in the statement.
“The events of this last week have unfairly put several Players’ lives in a state of limbo. The unethical leaking of medical information as well as the perversion of the salary arbitration process serve as continued reminders that too often Players are treated as commodities by those running the game.”
Although there generally has been confidence expressed of the trade ultimately being completed, it’s unclear how a resolution may be reached. One report suggested the Red Sox and Twins were working with one another to bridge the gap, but there also was an indication the Dodgers would be asked to find a prospect from a different team to then route to Boston.
There also is the possibility of the Dodgers and Red Sox paring down the trade to just between themselves, or involving a new third team.
Further complicating matters is the Dodgers have a second trade — one with the L.A. Angels — that remains on pause. In that deal, the Angels reportedly will receive Joc Pederson, Ross Stripling and Andy Pages in exchange for Luis Rengifo and one or two prospects.
Angels owner Arte Moreno reportedly has grown frustrated with the delay in finalizing the trade, though it’s not necessarily considered to be in danger of falling through on itself.
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