Los Angeles Dodgers: Three different trade ideas for Mookie Betts
By Jason Reed
Trade #2: Three teams, two big names
There is a lot to dissect in this trade and looping in a third team in the Chicago White Sox makes it more complex but makes is more realistic as well. This third team in this trade could really be any team that needs an outfielder and would practically be willing to pay cash for it, we chose the White Sox because of the previous ties to Joc Pederson.
First, let’s break down what the Red Sox and White Sox are sending and receiving in this trade, then break down why it would be worth it for the Dodgers.
The Red Sox are getting A.J. Pollock, who is a cheaper option that is signed for four more seasons instead of the one-year option of Pederson. While he is cheaper, he is set to make $15 million this season, $12 million next season and $10 million the following two seasons.
They also get Dustin May and Keibert Ruiz, who we already mentioned. The White Sox would also send a player to be named later to Boston, the level of the player determined by how good of a season that Pederson has in Chicago.
Finally, the Dodgers get both Betts and David Price. Betts makes up for the loss of two outfielders as he would play right field, moving Cody Bellinger to center and Alex Verdugo to left. That is a great outfield.
The Dodgers also free up the money to get David Price. At first, I did not love the idea of getting Price, but he only as three more years under contract and will not restrict the team from signing extensions in the future.
By freeing up Pollock, the team would make enough room, with the expiring contracts of Justin Turner and Treinen after this season, to extend Betts long term. Chicago would agree to pay $10 million of David Price’s contract this season as the cost of Pederson to get the Dodgers under the luxury tax.