Los Angeles Dodgers: Three overlooked aspects of the Mookie Betts trade
By Jason Reed
3. A Mookie Betts extension should not completely be ruled out
Many are assuming that the Los Angeles Dodgers just made this trade for one season of Mookie Betts as he is set to be a free agent for the first time in his career after the 2020 season. With Betts’ talent and the Dodgers’ history of not signing massively long contracts, it seems like a given that Betts will be elsewhere in 2020.
However, I would not completely rule out Betts being in Dodger blue in 2021. I do agree that the chances of the Dodgers signing Betts to a 10+ year deal is slim, but I do think a short-term extension could absolutely be in the cards.
And yes, this is me being optimistic as a fan. I do not think that this is the most likely outcome by any means, but I would not rule it out, either.
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The extension that the Dodgers can give Betts would be 3-4 years on top of 2020 with a massively high average annual value. The best-case scenario for Betts would be a three-year extension on top of 2020, which would be similar to the extension that the Rockies signed Nolan Arenado.
Let’s assume that his massively high extension is for three years and $120 million, paying Betts $40 million a season. That sure is a lot to pay Betts, but it is also doable with the money that is being freed up soon.
$34 million is being freed up by Justin Turner, Alex Wood and Blake Treinen alone after this season. You figure the Dodgers would only be paying $13 million more than they are this season for Betts, which even leaves room for the Dodgers to re-sign Turner to a 1-2 year, $8-10 million per season contract.
Arbitration figures are going to go up as well but in the following offseason the team is freeing up another $51 million between Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen. With Price’s contract ending the year after, and then Betts theoretically the year after that, the Dodgers would essentially get a fresh start to extend the franchise pieces while also still having prospects trickle into the team.
Next. How the lineup should look with Mookie Betts. dark
Why would Betts do this? This would make him a free agent at 30, in which he will still have value. He could easily sign another big contract, likely in the ballpark of eight years for $250 million. Combine that with his extension and you have an 11-year contract worth $370 million. I doubt he gets more as a free agent this winter.