Los Angeles Dodgers: Predicting the three biggest moves this winter

3. Trade for Mookie Betts

This is another part of the reason why I think the Los Angeles Dodgers will re-sign Ryu instead of signing Cole or Strasburg. Re-signing Ryu makes it easier for the Dodgers to give an extension to Mookie Betts and gives the team slightly more space under the luxury tax, as Cole and Strasburg will probably both get $30 million+ a season.

I think the Dodgers’ chance of trading for Mookie Betts is higher than them signing any of the marquee free agents. We already outlined why the team might not pursue the pitchers and they don’t need Anthony Rendon as the infield is already full.

With Betts, though, it is fairly easy to create a fair trade that makes sense for both sides without compromising the Dodgers’ farm system. What is that trade?

I already know the initial reaction for both fanbases; Dodger fan may think that this trade package is far too much for Betts and Red Sox fans may think that this is not enough for a former MVP.

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The Dodgers can afford to make this trade and it would be great that they do so without trading Gavin Lux. Dustin May is a promising pitching prospect that is easy to get excited about, however, the Dodgers are deep in starting pitching and can afford to part ways with one promising arm.

They still would have the trio of Ryu, Walker Buehler and Kershaw for the next two seasons at least and have other young arms that can legitimately progress into all-stars in Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin.

Throw in Kenta Maeda (who could get traded) and Ross Stripling and the Dodgers are just fine now and in the future without May.

Ruiz is one of the three-best catching prospects in the MLB but with the arrival of Will Smith, the Dodgers can afford to trade Ruiz, especially considering the team is deep in catching prospects below him as well.

Finally, Joc Pederson is a one-year filler option for the Red Sox that could play right field, and if the price is right, could even be extended in Boston. The Red Sox are getting two top-40 prospects (according to MLB Pipeline) for one year of Betts. That is absolutely a fair price.

The one caveat is that the Los Angeles Dodgers need to be sure that Betts will sign an extension in LA. If the Red Sox are smart, they would allow the Dodgers to go into initial discussions with Betts to get this kind of return.