The 2025 World Series returns to Toronto on October 31. The Blue Jays could pull off an unexpected title with a win in Game 6, but if the series advances to seven games, anything could happen.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' offense has looked lost since the first half of the 18-inning postseason classic that was Game 3. The Dodgers clocked just three runs between Games 4 and 5, and Toronto has capitalized on their struggles.
Former Boston Red Sox fan favorite Mookie Betts is notably absent from the Dodgers' World Series highlight reel. The veteran is fresh off the worst offensive season of his career (.258/.326/.406 slash line in 150 games), and his struggles have lingered well into October. Betts has batted .234/.319/.328 with four doubles, a triple and six RBI in 15 playoff games.
The World Series has been particularly rough for the former Red Sox fan favorite. He's registered just three hits in five games, and he only notched one hit in the 18-inning Game 3 when he got eight at-bats. After LA's one-run showing in Game 5, Betts got brutally honest with reporters about his stat line.
“I don’t want to speak on anybody else, but for myself, I’ve just been terrible,” Betts said. "I wish it were from lack of effort, I really do, but it’s not. So, I don't have any answers.”
Mookie Betts' poor World Series showing for Dodgers has some Red Sox reporters predicting a regression for the star
Betts' down season and ugly playoff showing have some reporters wondering if he's finally experiencing the athletic regression that prevented the Red Sox from signing him long-term. Michael Hurley of NBC Sports Boston admits that it's a tough question to ask, but he wonders if Betts is "cooked."
Hurley made sure to note that his previous five seasons have been well worth the money the Dodgers have paid him, but a regression could be on the way.
"With Betts now being a 33-year-old who ranked 16th among shortstops in OPS this season, we are perhaps now seeing the vision John Henry had when he made the call that the Red Sox weren't going to sign for the long term," Hurley wrote.
"As a reminder, the Red Sox reportedly offered Betts a 10-year, $300 million deal. Had he accepted that offer, the Red Sox would have gotten tremendous value in the first four years of the deal (2021-24) and would now be looking at five remaining years at $150 million. The Dodgers are currently on the hook for seven more years and $195 million."
The first five years of Betts' contract can't be so easily ignored or forgotten. He's won two rings since his arrival in LA (maybe one and a half, depending on your view of 2020), received four All-Star nods and Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves and he's earned MVP votes in four of his five seasons in Dodger Blue.
It's too soon to tell if a severe regression is coming for Betts. He posted a solid second half of the regular season (.279/.342/.442) and had 12 hits through 10 games in the first three rounds of the postseason. Not to mention he moved to shortstop this year and posted seven outs above average and ranked in the 92nd percentile in range among all shortstops.
One down season is not an indication of a regression, and won't devalue Betts' contract enough to make it not worth it. In the current market, the seven years and $195 million the Dodgers have remaining on his deal is a bargain for a future Hall of Famer.
If he doesn't bounce back next year, this conversation can resume. Until then, the Betts trade is still an all-time failure for the Red Sox.