[Editor’s note: This story will continue to be updated]
After nearly a week of drama, there’s finally positive news with the Dodgers blockbuster deal that is bringing All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts and former Cy Young award winner David Price to Los Angeles.
Yes, the deal is happening!
Here’s the latest and greatest from Jeff Passan of ESPN on the reported deal.
BREAKING: The trade that will send Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been agreed upon, sources tell ESPN. Outfielder Alex Verdugo and shortstop Jeter Downs are among those who will go to the Boston Red Sox.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
The deal changed from its original form and now the Dodgers will indeed be adding a prospect to sweeten the pot for Boston. Yes, Los Angeles will still receive Betts and Price and cash from the Red Sox. In exchange, second-year LA outfielder Alex Verdugo will be heading to the Sox along with shortstop prospect Jeter Downs.
Notably, this will no longer be a three-team trade that includes the Minnesota Twins, at least as currently reported.
Mark Feinsand added more.
Source confirms Red Sox and Dodgers are in agreement on a deal that will send Mookie Betts and David Price to L.A. for Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs and one other player, pending medical reviews. @JeffPassan 1st with the agreement.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 9, 2020
As Passan alluded to, one other player will be sent to Boston to complete the deal.
Of course, this deal was held over concerns that arose after Boston reviewed the medicals of Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol. Since that point, the Red Sox have been pushing for another prospect out of Minnesota or Los Angeles. Understandably, both teams balked at that idea.
Until now.
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Who’s In
In Betts, the Dodgers will be acquiring a 4-time All-Star and former AL MVP who has accumulated 42 Wins Above Replacement per Baseball-Reference in his 6-year career. The right-handed batting outfielder has spent most of his time batting out of the lead-off spot and is expected to resume that duty for LA.
David Price is a 12 MLB veteran, 5-time All-Star, and former Cy Young award winner in the American League. The 34-year-old battled injuries in 2019, but still appeared in 22 games while posting a 3.62 FIP in 107.1 innings pitched.
Boston is expected to pay about half of the $93M owed to Price over the next 3 seasons. He is expected to slot in behind Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw in the Los Angeles rotation.
Who’s Out
Alex Verdugo was drafted by the Dodgers in 2014 and made his MLB debut in 2017. After spending time bouncing back and forth from Los Angeles in 2018, he finally received regular playing time in 2019. However, back issues ended his season in early August.
Jeter Downs came to the Dodgers along with pitching prospect Josiah Gray in a trade with the Reds last off-season in exchange for Yasiel Puig, among others. Recently MLB Pipeline ranked Downs as the 8th best shortstop prospect in baseball. He currently sits as the 5th best prospect in a loaded Dodgers farm system.
Next
With Betts and Price in tow, Los Angeles is next expected to complete a deal that would send outfielder Joc Pederson and pitcher Ross Stripling to the Angels in exchange for multiple prospects. This deal has been on hold while the Red Sox and Dodgers worked to complete the Betts trade.
Additionally, there are rumors that Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol may still be traded, but instead to LA in exchange for right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda.
The slow off-season finally paid off for Dodgers fans.
NEXT: Players and Fans React to Mookie Betts Trade on Social Media
