We don’t get much information out of Andrew Friedman, but he did reveal there were about 12 players on his list that the Dodgers were interested in acquiring. Well we can easily figure out half of those players with the notable ones being Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon, and Madison Bumgarner. All players the Dodgers were unable to sign. Dodgers were linked to Treinen, who they were able to snag, and we are still awaiting the status of Dellin Betances. Every starting pitcher that the Dodgers have shown interest in has been acquired by an opposing team, and the reported $20 million annual price tag on ERA leader Hyun-Jin Ryu exceeds the cost the Dodgers would like to pay.
According to John Tomase of NBC Sports Boston, multiple executives believed that the Dodgers and Red Sox were poised to make a trade with each other with the Dodgers willing to acquire both Mookie Betts and David Price. We all know what Mookie Betts is capable of, but let’s talk about Price first because the Dodgers are more familiar with David Price than one might think. First of all, the Dodgers faced Price multiple times in the 2018 World Series where he went 2-0 over 3 games with a 1.98 ERA and should have been the MVP of that series. Andrew Friedman and David Price have a relationship dating as far back to when Friedman was involved in the selection of David Price in 2007 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Price is a one time Cy Young award winner and two time runner-up. In 2019, Price was limited to 107 innings and finished with a 4.28 ERA. The 34 year-old left handed pitcher has 150 career wins and a lifetime ERA of 3.31. Price is owed 3 years, $96 million and does not have a no-trade clause.
Remember back in 2016 when everyone was bugging out about David Price’s velocity? His velocity is virtually the same now as when people were panicking then. The difference is that he’s absolutely painting corners. Surgical. pic.twitter.com/ZKzkzysg1Q
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 3, 2019
Before one panics about how much money Price is owed, one has to think Boston would take on a significant chunk of that load. The Dodgers rotation as it stands would be between Buehler, Kershaw, Urias, May, Maeda, and Gonsolin. There is a lot of upside, but there are some major question marks if these young arms could hope up an entire season, so acquiring the veteran Price would help lessen the load. The main prize would be Mookie Betts, who has one year left on his deal. Betts was the 2018 MVP and won the Gold Glove in 2019. Betts provides excellent defense in the outfield and gives them something they need, which is a lead-off hitter. Betts also provides speed and is a right-handed bat with some power. At only the age 27, Betts finished the season batting .295 and was able to drive in 80 runs.
Who the Dodgers would send out is the question, but I think it starts with D.J. Peters, Josiah Gray, and Jeter Downs along with some major league talent like potentially A.J. Pollock and Ross Stripling.
(UPDATE 12/17/19) Bob Nightengale of USA Today confirms reports about the Dodgers in on Mookie Betts, while their is belief that Boston would like to receive catcher Will Smith in the package.
With the Francisco Lindor trade looking unlikely, the Dodgers are running out of blockbuster trade options, so taking a huge swing at Betts and Price might be the move.
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(photo credit: Boston Globe)
Sources: Mark Tomase https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/mlb-rumors-why-dodgers-are-more-likely-trade-partners-red-sox-now