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Red Sox Winter Meetings: Predictions for five biggest questions

By Tim Starr

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 27: John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino share a laugh as Lucchino was being honored for his last home game as Red Sox CEO/President before a game against the Baltimore Orioles Fenway Park on September 27, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 27: John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino share a laugh as Lucchino was being honored for his last home game as Red Sox CEO/President before a game against the Baltimore Orioles Fenway Park on September 27, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated after scoring a run in the fourth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 23, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated after scoring a run in the fourth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 23, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Oh boy, the question everybody knew was coming. Will the second or third best player in baseball be traded? This question may very well loom over the Red Sox for as long as Boston keeps the former MVP.

He is one of the best players in baseball and he will be payed like one in 2020 as he is set to make just shy of $28 million, per MLB Trade Rumors. The Red Sox need to cut payroll and trading Mookie could be the only way.

If teams choose not to relieve the Red Sox of one of their starters, the payroll will be very high headed into 2020. Betts can instantly upgrade any team and transform their rebuild into postseason success. Teams this apply to are the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and San Diego Padres – all of whom have been coincidentally linked to the right fielder, along with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets.

However, a surplus of reports this week have indicated that the Red Sox will have a difficult time trading the 3-time silver slugger as he is set to make a load of money in 2020 and only has one year left of control. Other star players such as Francisco Lindor and Kris Bryant have a greater chance of being traded as they both have two years left of control.

Next. Trade proposals for Jackie Bradley. dark

Overall, the Red Sox would likely pull the trigger if they found the right trade for Mookie, but not many teams have the correct combination of prospects and payroll flexibility necessary to acquire the services of the homegrown Boston star.

Prediction: Mookie stays with Boston for 2020

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