The primary goal of the Red Sox is to continue winning World Series titles. If they want to succeed at this goal they’ll need Mookie Betts, and for the long-term.
While the Red Sox are getting prepared to head to St. Petersburg for Spring Training, the future still looms over them. During the Winter Weekend festivities on Friday, Chairman Tom Werner made it clear what the ownership group has their sights on, Mookie Betts.
The reigning American League MVP reached a deal with the Red Sox on a new salary for the 2019 season to avoid arbitration. After failing to do so two years in a row, this is a step in the right direction for all parties. With the organization and Mookie both being on the same page, this could mean great things as they head into negotiations for a new contract.
Betts will be a free agent after the conclusion of the 2019 season and the Red Sox want to avoid that at all costs. Mookie is the spark and the key component to Boston continuing their success as time goes on. Keeping him not only in Boston but happy will mean good things for the organization as time goes on.
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"“He’s one of the great players of our generation,” Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said. “If we have (extension) conversations, they’ll be private. But it’s our hope he’ll be a Red Sox player for his whole baseball career.”"
Werner was more than positive on his outlook for keeping Betts in a Red Sox uniform for the long-term. Having a star the level of Mookie can mean huge business for the Red Sox and FSG. Having a star as marketable as Mookie Betts can mean big bucks for Werner and his partners. Endorsements, sponsorships, commercials, they all translate into green for the Fenway Sports Group.
So not only would re-signing Mookie Betts mean great things for the Red Sox organization, but it can mean great things for baseball. It feels like the MLB is looking for that next star to get behind to boost the league. Bryce Harper has his moments, Mike Trout is sitting on the mountaintop, and Mookie could be next.
"“I think the system of sitting across the table from one of your favorite players and have to argue about how they did last year is not a perfect system by any means. So to the degree that none of our players are going to arbitration with us, that’s a good thing.”"
With his stellar 2018 season, Betts is surely one of the top players in all of Major League Baseball. With his flashy defense, exciting baserunning, aggressive at-bats, and hell even his good looks, Betts can be the face of the MLB. Mookie is the total package and Boston is a city that has already embraced him and is ready to raise him to the level of legends such as David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez.
If Tom Werner had his way the two parties would have already locked down a long-term deal keeping Mookie in Boston. If this offseason is any indication, I feel that the two sides are closer than ever to making that a reality. Not only is the Red Sox organization ready to make Mookie Betts a next level star, but so is the city of Boston.