BETTS BROUGHT IN BY THE DODGERS
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Mookie Betts, pitcher David Price and cash from the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Alex Verdugo, infielder Jeter Downs and catcher Connor Wong.
What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
The deal that took a week to finalize has finally happened. The Dodgers suddenly look primed for another World Series appearance after landing one of the best players in baseball in the multitalented Betts. He will probably play right field and bat leadoff for a very potent lineup. Price is coming off an injury-plagued and rough 2019 campaign but he won 16 games in 2018. The Dodgers will reportedly also receive half of the $96 million owed to Price for the remainder of his contract. This trade looks like one of the steals of the last 25 years.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox did manage to get Verdugo, a very talented outfielder who seems on the verge of a major breakthrough season, in this trade. They also received two other prospects in Downs and Wong. However, they failed to land the pitching prospect they were seeking after balking at the original trade (which also included the Minnesota Twins and would have sent Brusdar Graterol to Boston). Furthermore, Boston agreed to pay a large sum of money here, which seems to defeat the purpose of trading Betts in order to shed Price's contract.
Fantasy impact
Both Betts and Verdugo should benefit from this trade. Betts was not as good in 2019 as he was in 2018 but the move to LA should reenergize him. Verdugo finally becomes an everyday player now, so his stock figures to skyrocket. Price may also benefit from pitching at Chavez Ravine, although his role on the Dodgers staff is not known at this time. Downs and Wong may also have a quicker path to MLB after the trade, though only Downs is keeper-league material at this point.
