The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the offseason with a goal of adding an elite player to a talented roster that despite a disappointing showing in the playoffs, was coming off a franchise-record 106 wins.
But all the Dodgers could do through the Winter Meetings was standby as the likes of Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg signed elsewhere. As the free agency process unfolded, L.A. additionally was linked to potential trades with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.
The bulk of their focus reportedly lied on possibly acquiring Mike Clevinger and Francisco Lindor, or Mookie Betts in a deal that could expand to include David Price as well. However, both the Indians and Red Sox have maintained they don’t feel a pressing need to trade their franchise players.
Nevertheless, the Red Sox reportedly are evaluating trade offers for Betts from the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe:
According to multiple major league sources, the Red Sox continue to discuss the possibility of a Mookie Betts trade with multiple suitors. The team is weighing potential combinations of big leaguers and prospects offered by the Padres as well as the Dodgers, and remains engaged with both teams about the possibility of a deal involving their superstar right fielder.
Earlier this month Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said he anticipated Betts remaining with the team come Opening Day of the 2020 season. That was shortly after Betts and the Red Sox avoided arbitration by agreeing to a record $27 million salary.
More recently, however, the Red Sox were said to be seeking two elite prospects in exchange for Betts, along with getting out from essentially all of the remaining salary on Price’s contract.
Traditionally, a team taking on the type of contract the veteran left-hander has at his age would reduce what they need to part with in a trade. If the Red Sox were to pay a significant portion of his remaining salary, the Dodgers — or another club — may be more inclined to meet the Red Sox’s asking price.
While the Dodgers to this point have only added to the fringes of their roster, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman suggested the team was still in pursuit of a marquee acquisition.
“There’s been a lot of dialogue throughout the winter and there still continues to be a lot of dialogue,” he said at Dodgers FanFest. “In recent years it’s felt like the offseason has drifted much deeper into January, February, and even March. Can definitely see (more activity before Spring Training), for sure.”
Even with their reported preference to retain Gavin Lux and Dustin May, the Dodgers have a wealth of prospects and depth at the Major League level to align with the Red Sox on a trade. Of course, Friedman has regularly displayed he will not be pressured into making a deal.
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