Mookie Betts Trade To Dodgers Or Padres Appear "Likely" [Rumor]

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts has been the biggest name on the trade market this offseason, and it sounds like his tenure in Beantown could be coming to an end soon.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have been heavily involved in the Betts sweepstakes, and according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, a trade with one of the NL West clubs "seems pretty likely at this point".

ESPN's Buster Olney also reported Thursday that the 2018 World Series champions "are deep into talks with" Los Angeles. He added that veteran pitcher David Price -- who has three years and $96 million left on his contract -- has been mentioned in some trade talks.

The Dodgers and Padres hold extremely deep farm systems which are widely considered to be in the top five. The two teams are also loaded with young stars, so L.A. and San Diego are in good position to add a player of Betts' caliber.

The Red Sox paid a luxury tax bill of $13.4 million in 2019, and ownership has continually expressed its desire to shed payroll and get under the threshold. Trading Betts -- who received $27 million in arbitration -- and Price would certainly help Boston achieve that goal.

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Betts won the 2018 AL MVP award after guiding the Red Sox to their fourth World Series championship of the 21st century. He's among the game's most complete players, boasting phenomenal batting numbers and world-class defense in right field.

Price has completed four years of the seven-year pact worth $217 million that he signed in the 2015 offseason. Though he hasn't come close to playing at his previous All-Star form, Price was instrumental in helping the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series.

The Red Sox have consistently ran one of the highest payrolls over the past 20 years, and it's helped them win the four world championship banners. Ownership's decision to reduce payroll is surprising to many, but trading away a franchise player like Betts should cause even more to scratch their heads.

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