Mookie Betts and David Price have been traded to Dodgers

[mvp 78]

This is a fair point. Many in the Red Sox media and fan base would have crucified him. I have never understood all the hatred for Price, and I'm one who was against his signing/contract before it happened. IMO, he never got a fair shake while in Boston.

 

If I were able to afford it financially, I would opt out of my job for a year to protect my family and myself.

 

If he opted out, the Sox may have been able to get under the cap AND keep Betts on the roster this year. That's a win/win/win/win/win for me.

[mvp 78]

The pandemic probably did play a part. But the Red Sox should have known the Dodgers would make a serious play for Mookie.

 

-Friedman had created some payroll room.

-The Dodgers are set up to be contenders for a while and have a good organization.

-It's a good place to play.

-The Dodgers had to give up some talent for Mookie so it makes sense they weren't just looking to have him for one season.

 

But we were also told that the pandemic would play a part in him not getting 300M and that he was dumb for not taking the offer from the Sox............

[mvp 78]

No doubt. I don't disagree with any of that. IMO, once Mookie turned down the Sox' offer, the Sox knew that they would not be signing Mookie long term. I don't think there was ever any serious intention of trading him then re-signing him as a free agent.

 

I didn't want him traded, but I've said this all along. It was like Lester all over again. The Sox didn't want to pay him so they traded him. Fans wanted the player back, but the writing was already on the wall.

[Bellhorn04]

But we were also told that the pandemic would play a part in him not getting 300M and that he was dumb for not taking the offer from the Sox............

 

True. We talk a lot of s*** here.

[Larry33]

Yeah, Kennedy being disappointed that Mookie signed an extension with the Dodgers doesn't really fly.

 

It was the Red Sox decision to not only trade him, but trade him to the team that was probably in the best position to extend him.

 

Well it was on the headlines of the Boston Globe and CBS sports plus Mass Live.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/23/sports/red-sox-president-sam-kennedy-disappointed-mookie-betts-signed-contract-extension-with-dodgers/

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-sox-president-sam-kennedy-says-hes-disappointed-mookie-betts-signed-long-term-extension-with-dodgers/

 

Then he's trying to appease the fans why else would he openly make such statement to the media knowingly he going to be widely published. Especially after the news that Mookie Betts sign a mega deal with the Dodgers. There could also the scenario that he openly admitting a huge mistake on the part of the Red Sox for trading him.

[mvp 78]

Personally I like the Dodgers' confidence.

 

Or maybe what they're thinking is 'Well, if the pandemic destroys the world, this contract won't much matter anyway."

 

https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-04-01/spectrum-deal-puts-sportsnet-la-on-att-platforms-dodgers-games-can-be-viewed

 

I think they saw that it was finally time to open the checkbook. They have a huge tv deal and lots of young, cheap players. They can afford to eat a Betts contract as long as he's worth keeping around for half of it and wins them a ring or two.

 

The tv situation in LA is an embarrassment though. MLB should have stepped in.

[Bellhorn04]

Well it was on the headlines of the Boston Globe and CBS sports plus Mass Live.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/23/sports/red-sox-president-sam-kennedy-disappointed-mookie-betts-signed-contract-extension-with-dodgers/

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-sox-president-sam-kennedy-says-hes-disappointed-mookie-betts-signed-long-term-extension-with-dodgers/

 

Then he's trying to appease the fans why else would he openly make such statement to the media knowingly he going to be widely published. Especially after the news that Mookie Betts sign a mega deal with the Dodgers. There could also the scenario that he openly admitting a huge mistake on the part of the Red Sox for trading him.

 

Just to clarify, I wasn't doubting that he said it. I think it was kind of a dumb/******** thing to say.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Well it was on the headlines of the Boston Globe and CBS sports plus Mass Live.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/23/sports/red-sox-president-sam-kennedy-disappointed-mookie-betts-signed-contract-extension-with-dodgers/

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-sox-president-sam-kennedy-says-hes-disappointed-mookie-betts-signed-long-term-extension-with-dodgers/

 

Then he's trying to appease the fans why else would he openly make such statement to the media knowingly he going to be widely published. Especially after the news that Mookie Betts sign a mega deal with the Dodgers. There could also the scenario that he openly admitting a huge mistake on the part of the Red Sox for trading him.

 

It doesn't appease me in any way; it just gets me more pissed. Kennedy should've just wished Mookie luck and stressed moving forward. Instead, saying he's "disappointed" could mean two things -- to me, at least: the Sox are sorry they didn't sign Betts, and they were maybe planning on trying to again this winter. I don't believe the latter, but I'm sure they'll regret the former.

 

I know some posters thought/hoped Mookie would still sign back in Boston if the money was there, but I always thought he was gone for good once he was traded. 1). a place like LA is more appealing, with better baseball weather and less baseball pressure; and 2). Bloom was specifically hired to build the future and bury the past.

[Larry33]

Geez, define 'serious effort'. The Sox supposedly offered Mookie $310 million in 2018 to stay with the Sox. If that's not a serious offer, I don't know what is. The ball might have been in Boston's court, but Mookie also had to be reasonable on his end.

 

I don't think that Mookie was in a hurry to get out of Boston. I think he wanted to receive the largest contract given to date. He got that with the Dodgers (and I'm still in shock about it), but I also think that the pandemic played a huge part in Mookie agreeing to a deal before reaching free agency.

 

Over the years the Red Sox made 3 offers to extend Betts the first was in 2016 - 5/100 mil, 2017 - 8/200 mil, 2018 - 10/300 mil Mookie's counter offer was 12/420 mil the last the Red Sox up their offer to 310 mil there was a 110 mil dollar spread anybody involved in negotiating knows right off it's to large of difference to come to terms with they need to close in the gap in order to get a deal done.

 

The huge X factor that nobody could've ever predicted which likely played into the negotiations was the Covid-19 pandemic.

[Kimmi]

I didn't want him traded, but I've said this all along. It was like Lester all over again. The Sox didn't want to pay him so they traded him. Fans wanted the player back, but the writing was already on the wall.

 

I disagree that it was the Sox who were 'at fault' here. If they offered Mookie $150 mil or something along those lines, that would be one thing. They offered him $310 million and he Mookie it down. There's not a whole lot that you can do about that. $310 million for 10 years is crazy enough. Going any higher would be just plain stupid.

 

The Sox did the right thing in trading Mookie, rather than giving him a contract that they would soon come to deeply regret.

[Kimmi]

Over the years the Red Sox made 3 offers to extend Betts the first was in 2016 - 5/100 mil, 2017 - 8/200 mil, 2018 - 10/300 mil Mookie's counter offer was 12/420 mil the last the Red Sox up their offer to 310 mil there was a 110 mil dollar spread anybody involved in negotiating knows right off it's to large of difference to come to terms with they need to close in the gap in order to get a deal done.

 

The huge X factor that nobody could've ever predicted which likely played into the negotiations was the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

It is my opinion that Mookie is the one that was being unreasonable, not the Red Sox.

[mvp 78]

It is my opinion that Mookie is the one that was being unreasonable, not the Red Sox.

 

He got more from the Dodgers. His position was not unreasonable.

[mvp 78]

I disagree that it was the Sox who were 'at fault' here. If they offered Mookie $150 mil or something along those lines, that would be one thing. They offered him $310 million and he Mookie it down. There's not a whole lot that you can do about that. $310 million for 10 years is crazy enough. Going any higher would be just plain stupid.

 

The Sox did the right thing in trading Mookie, rather than giving him a contract that they would soon come to deeply regret.

 

I didn't say they were at fault. They had a number they didn't want to go over. They traded him knowing that they were fine with letting him walk away. That's all there is to it.

[notin]

Yeah, Kennedy being disappointed that Mookie signed an extension with the Dodgers doesn't really fly.

 

It was the Red Sox decision to not only trade him, but trade him to the team that was probably in the best position to extend him.

 

Well, the list of teams willing to take on a one year $25mill contract and give up something of value was probably not very long...

[Bellhorn04]

Well, the list of teams willing to take on a one year $25mill contract and give up something of value was probably not very long...

 

That's true too, but it doesn't change the truth of what I said.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It is my opinion that Mookie is the one that was being unreasonable, not the Red Sox.

 

I think there will always been opposing views in what's considered fair MLB market value -- the fans' incredulity about someone paid kajillions to play a game or what owners are willing to shell out.

 

I never disagreed with Betts that he should get every cent he's earned or that's he's worth more than Harper or Machado. It just stings he was so adamant about being a free agent, and then a day before playing his first game for LA he signs an extension. I'm not surprised, and maybe Covid uncertainty was a factor...

 

But he's not my son's hero anymore. Mookie will just be a Red Sox card in a plastic sheet in a binder from memorable seasons past.

[dgalehouse]

There is no crying in baseball. And no loyalty either . And that goes both ways .

[Nick]

It is my opinion that Mookie is the one that was being unreasonable, not the Red Sox.

 

 

Agreed. $300M over 10 years is a reasonable offer. Pay him whatever he wants is not an option.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There is no crying in baseball. And no loyalty either . And that goes both ways .

 

There's fan loyalty and nostalgia -- and the professional game better respect both if they want to still have a professional game.

[Larry33]

It is my opinion that Mookie is the one that was being unreasonable, not the Red Sox.

 

Everything you want to buy has a market value whether it be a house,car or anything for that matter it's dictated by the market. The same is to be said for baseball players you've got the Elite, the Good and the Mediocre as the different level of talent. We've seen the contract signed by Manny Machado and Bryce Harper which are a level lower than Mookie. Machado contract 10/300 mil with a 20 mil signing bonus total value 320 with opt out clause in 2023 and 6 team no trade clause. Harper contract 13/330 mil with a 20 mil signing bonus total value 350 mil no deferred money with full no trade clause.

 

There's no way Mookie was unreasonable he just wanted the money he deserve the market clearly showed that for his level of player the Red Sox offer was a bit slim side.

[Larry33]

Just to clarify, I wasn't doubting that he said it. I think it was kind of a dumb/******** thing to say.

 

To me it only confirm one thing the Red Sox were truly hoping to bring him back as a Free Agent. Hindsight is 20/20 now maybe they shouldn't of traded him it's not very often you have a chance at an elite player that can do it all and good as Mookie could. I mean he came up as infielder moved him to the outfield because JBJ fiasco fast tracked him into the major where he excelled right away.

[notin]

That's true too, but it doesn't change the truth of what I said.

 

No but it focuses on the wrong aspect of it. What other teams were even interested?

[moonslav59]

Agreed. $300M over 10 years is a reasonable offer. Pay him whatever he wants is not an option.

 

Nobody was ever going to pay $420M, covid or not. It was his first counter.

 

We'll never know,now, but the speculation will go on for years.

 

[Bellhorn04]

No but it focuses on the wrong aspect of it. What other teams were even interested?

 

The simple point is they traded him to a team that was in a great position to extend him. So if they had serious intentions of going after him in free agency, it was quite risky.

 

If they no intentions of going after him it was fine. But if that's the case what's this 'disappointed' crap from Kennedy?

Edited July 24, 2020 by Bellhorn04

[notin]

The simple point is they traded him to a team that was in a great position to extend him. So if they had serious intentions of going after him in free agency, it was quite risky.

 

If they no intentions of going after him it was fine. But if that's the case what's this 'disappointed' crap from Kennedy?

 

Well, it also seemed that their only chance of extending him was if they first reset the tax penalties, which they could not do without trading Betts or other expensive and far less desirable contracts. So trading Betts was the smartest plan to reset, since no one was going to take Eovaldi, Sale or Price off their hands. (And they did try. I believe there were some Price/Wil Myers rumblings, which shows how far the Sox were willing to go.)

 

But the Dodgers were the only team willing to take Betts (and most of Price) and give up anything of value. My only problem with this unfortunately necessary trade was it did look better when the Sox got Brusdar Graterol...

[Bellhorn04]

Well, it also seemed that their only chance of extending him was if they first reset the tax penalties, which they could not do without trading Betts or other expensive and far less desirable contracts.

 

That was a theory that was floated, but I never really agreed with.

 

Great plan if that was it!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Well, it also seemed that their only chance of extending him was if they first reset the tax penalties, which they could not do without trading Betts or other expensive and far less desirable contracts. So trading Betts was the smartest plan to reset, since no one was going to take Eovaldi, Sale or Price off their hands. (And they did try. I believe there were some Price/Wil Myers rumblings, which shows how far the Sox were willing to go.)

 

But the Dodgers were the only team willing to take Betts (and most of Price) and give up anything of value. My only problem with this unfortunately necessary trade was it did look better when the Sox got Brusdar Graterol...

 

Instead, the team that needed pitching more than anything got no pitching in exchange for the best player. LA is loaded with good-looking young arms, and Bloom couldn't pry one loose, then had to initially agree to take one from the Twins?

 

A lot of people surmise Bloom was hired to trade Mookie, but I also suspect he was ordered to get rid of Price, and the only taker was the new GM's old boss: "Sure, Chaim, we'll take Price off your hands -- but forget about getting any of our pitchers."

[Kimmi]

I didn't say they were at fault. They had a number they didn't want to go over. They traded him knowing that they were fine with letting him walk away. That's all there is to it.

 

I don't disagree with that.

 

What I disagree with is people saying that the Sox screwed this up.

[Kimmi]

I think there will always been opposing views in what's considered fair MLB market value -- the fans' incredulity about someone paid kajillions to play a game or what owners are willing to shell out.

 

I never disagreed with Betts that he should get every cent he's earned or that's he's worth more than Harper or Machado. It just stings he was so adamant about being a free agent, and then a day before playing his first game for LA he signs an extension. I'm not surprised, and maybe Covid uncertainty was a factor...

 

But he's not my son's hero anymore. Mookie will just be a Red Sox card in a plastic sheet in a binder from memorable seasons past.

 

I have never been happy with Mookie's stance that he was going to test free agency, presumably to get the most money that he can. That type of thinking just doesn't sit well with me. It's absolutely his right to do so, but I don't agree with. There are things that should be prioritized over money, especially when you're already going to make hundreds of millions either way.

 

Mookie not being your son's hero anymore has as much (or more) to do with Mookie than it does with the Sox.

[Kimmi]

Agreed. $300M over 10 years is a reasonable offer. Pay him whatever he wants is not an option.

 

Bingo.