Los Angeles Dodgers: Francisco Lindor vs. Mookie Betts — the breakdown

Mookie Betts breakdown:

Pros:

• Higher ceiling than Lindor
• Cost of trade would be less
• Gives the Dodgers a true right-handed bat

Cons:

• Only one season left under contract
• Had a worse 2019 than Lindor

It is really hard to find legitimate cons about Mookie Betts, but the one legitimate con that we did find is really impactful. The fact that Mookie Betts only has one year left under contract before being a free agent is the biggest hang-up on a potential trade but is also the reason why the Red Sox are willing to trade him.

The Dodgers would have to be sure that they can work out an extension with Betts before free agency next year and it is easy to see if Betts would rather test the open market and see what kind of contract he gets.

The one way I could see the Dodgers wowing Betts and getting him to agree to an extension is by offering him a five-year contracted that negates arbitration this year and pays him an AAV of $40 million. They would have to free up some space this year, but that would be the only way.

That way, Betts would make more this season and then make $200 million in five years before hitting the market and likely signing another $200 million contract at 32.

The biggest con also works in the Dodgers’ favor, though, as it makes the asking price for Betts much lower than Lindor. Granted, I have seen some ridiculously unrealistic trade ideas online for Betts, and it will likely take at least one top-100 prospect, but the Dodgers can get it done without sending an arm and a leg.

Joc Pederson, Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray might be enough. They might even be able to do it without Gray and sub in someone such as Tony Gonsolin.

Betts did have the “worse” 2019 by hitting standards but it still was not a bad year and it should be taken with a grain of salt. He still has the higher ceiling, which was evident from his MVP season in 2018 when he out-hit Mike Trout and was one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.

Also, Betts is right-handed, which is exactly what this team needs. We will get into Lindor (who is a switch hitter) on the next slide but Betts is a career .304 hitter against left-handed pitching that would help balance out the order.