Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter around baseball about the Los Angeles Dodgers pulling off the blockbuster trade that brings Mookie Betts to Southern California. However, we have yet to hear the big man speak on the subject.
Of course – and now more than ever – the big man is Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. It’s possible that Friedman’s own approval rating has never been higher than it is currently, or ever will be. This leads well into our next point, because Friedman talked to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM about the prominence of the player he just traded for.
It took a while, but Mookie Betts was worth the wait for Andrew Friedman.#Dodgers | @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Tmewu7ZBsK
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 12, 2020
First though, Friedman talks about how his familiarity with those in the Boston Red Sox front office really made this all a possibility in the first place
“Sometime late December is when things really kicked off with talks. It allowed for more fluid conversations which provided for different players they had interest in around the game. We were able to align on something that made sense for everyone.”
Enter to Win a Cody Bellinger Jersey!
Next Friedman talks about what the Dodgers gave up, speaking highly of Jeter Downs and Alex Verdugo. Undeniably, a guy in Friedman’s role knows you have to give up something of value to get something of value. Therefore, how does he value Mookie Betts?
“When it comes to Mookie, it’s definitely the best player I ever have traded for. And probably, he’s the best player I ever will trade for. In regards to David [Price], I have a lot of history with him. I have a ton of respect for him and the way he competes, so it’s going to be good to be back together with him. He’s one of the best teammates I have ever been around. So both those guys are going to add a lot not just on the field, but also in our clubhouse.”
Finally, I just sit and wonder when you’re Friedman and you ace a trade like this that may put your team finally over the top; how do you celebrate? Certainly he paused for a moment to enjoy the fruits of his labor that brought this to fruition. If not, that time will come.
When you hear the head man talk about the player he just acquired, those are bold words in what may be the signature move of his entire career.
NEXT: New Dodger Brusdar Graterol Happy With His New Team
