Mookie Betts

The Boston Red Sox just traded away this generation's Fred Lynn. I was 9 when Freddy Lynn won the Rookie of the Year and the MVP for a team that came ever so close to beating Cincinnati's  Big Red Machine in the 1975 World Series. Lynn quickly became my favorite player something which was true for a generation of Sox fans. Then Boston traded him away in 1981 for no good reason. I still can't explain it to this day. The Red Sox got back a washed up Joe Rudi and one year of Frank Tananna who went 4-10 with a 4.01 ERA.

Now the Red Sox have traded Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. The deal is Boston sends Betts and David Price (with the Red Sox paying half his remaining contract) to Los Angeles and in return they get outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Dodgers and pitcher Brusdar Graterol from Minnesota. Two top prospects both with significant injury history.

I'm happy to see David Price go in the trade. He was the poster child for entitled, pretentious athletes. And his huge contract was one of the reasons the Boston front office felt it wouldn't be possible to afford to sign Mookie once Betts got to free agency at the end of this upcoming season. To be fair to Price Boston probably doesn't win the World Series over the Dodgers without him. Still happy to see him go though.

Of the three teams involved in the deal - the Red Sox, Dodgers and Twins - would it be a surprise to anyone if Boston now finishes with the worst record in 2020? Depressing.

I've said it before but John Henry has quickly become the most unlikable Boston pro sports team owner in my lifetime. Billionaire Henry could have easily let Betts play out this season then did his best to sign him. That would have earned the gratitude of so many fans like me. But no - Boston needed to get under the luxury tax this season instead. I understand the reasons for this but damn! Fuck John Henry!