With Mike Trout reaching an agreement on the highest value contract, it’s time to talk about why Red Sox star Mookie Betts will get an even bigger deal.
There is always a next up when a big contract has been signed on the dotted line. Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts is no exception. He has quickly risen through the ranks and is becoming one of the greatest in the game today. While he hopes to build on his 2018 AL MVP, his stock and value will surely increase from the $20 million he is making this season.
Since his debut, Mike Trout has been the face of the league. With two MVP titles and seven All-Star selections, Trout has shown his dominance in the regular season. Although he has had more service time in his career, let’s compare his first 4.5 seasons since Betts has tallied 4.5 seasons under his belt thus far.
Trout had a combined .304 batting average with 139 home runs, 397 RBI’s, 744 hits, 361 walks, and 647 strikeouts through 2015. Betts has a career .303 batting average, with 110 home runs and 390 RBI’s, 789 hits, 274 walks, and 363 strikeouts.
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Both players have similar numbers while Trout has struck out almost 300 more times in the same time frame. This shows how great Mookie’s patience at the plate truly is, which is one of his most underrated skills. They will only grow in similarity within the next two years when Betts could officially become a free agent.
The differences stand out even more on the defensive side of the game. Trout does not have a single Gold Glove award. Betts has won the award for the last three seasons in right field for good reason. Fangraphs ranks Betts tied for first among outfielders and fourth at any position with 20 defensive runs saved. Trout was a distant 26th in the majors with 8 DRS.
Mookie’s 1.8 DWAR is higher than Trout’s mere 1.2. In 2018 alone, Betts made 472 outs compared to Trout’s 386. While Trout plays a harder position in center field, the right field in Fenway Park is a tricky one to cover. There’s a lot of ground to handle, and he does with authority.
Now, history of huge contracts have burned the Red Sox in recent memory. We can all see that with the Dustin Pedroia conundrum. There is a risk in long term contracts. Pablo Sandoval, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Carl Crawford, and Rusney Castillo all come to mind. Giving Betts a proper extension and or contract will take a lot of conversation with Dave Dombrowski and Tom Werner and company. That doesn’t mean you let this face of the franchise walk away.
It seems almost unconscionable at the moment, but two years is a lot of growth for even the worst players, imagine what it’ll do for a player of Mookie’s caliber? He hasn’t even come close to the 5-tool player he will be in the future. Even if the cost is heavy, it will be worth it.
Regardless of what Trout has made, it should be noted that Betts is more valuable of a player. While the years will be the dominant factor in any contract negotiations, Betts will get a 12+ year deal worth around $450 million.