Report: Red Sox Trading 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts to Dodgers

Boston has been trying to unload Betts for weeks in order to shed payroll

Mookie Betts traded from Red Sox
Mookie Betts, formerly of the Boston Red Sox. (Maddie Meyer/Getty)
Getty Images

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Boston Red Sox will be sending star outfielder Mookie Betts, the 2018 American League MVP, to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In addition to Betts, the Dodgers will also receive starting pitcher David Price, a former All-Star who has never really meshed in Boston despite helping the team win a World Series in 2018.

Though the deal has been agreed to in principle, it is still pending medical reviews.

At this time, the total compensation the Red Sox will be receiving in return has not been announced but it seems likely it is a package of young players and draft picks. At the center of that package is outfielder Alex Verdugo, a 23-year-old who hit .294 in just over 100 games with the Dodgers last season.

As shocking as Betts’s departure from Boston is, he’s clearly not the most high-profile athlete who could potentially be departing from town.

Tom Brady, 42, is going to be a free agent for the first time in his NFL career this March unless the Patriots can reach a deal with him before the 18th.

Though nothing is for certain at this point, Brady has been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans, among other teams.

Rumors aside, it seems most likely Brady will stay with the Pats but, as the Betts deal illustrates, nothing is ever set in stone.

UPDATE: As part of the deal, the Twins will send pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Red Sox, In return, Minnesota will receive starter Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers. 

In a separate move, the Dodgers are trading outfielder Joc Pederson to the Angels for infielder Luis Rengifo.

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