Mookie Betts heads West
Mookie Betts’ mounting accolades all but guaranteed him a huge payday as he neared free agency, and the Red Sox wanted relief from the Competitive Balance Tax. Still, seeing the 2018 MVP suit up in Dodger Blue broke the hearts of Red Sox Nation. David Price also figured in the deal that brought Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong to Boston.
Price, who was the staff workhorse and won two games in the 2018 World Series against the Dodgers, had little success in Los Angeles. After the trade, he sat out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, missing out on the Dodgers’ championship run.
Verdugo became a mainstay in the Red Sox lineup but in no way made up for the loss of Betts. Downs, then a promising prospect, struggled to adjust to high-level pitching and now plays in Japan. Wong is the last remaining piece in Boston, where he has filled a valuable catching and utility role.
The Red Sox have not been competitive since bidding Betts goodbye. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have made the postseason in each of the past five seasons, winning two championships. Given the differing trajectories of these storied franchises, we may be looking back at this deal as a new Curse of the Betts-bino.