LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 26: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox smiles in the dugout prior to Game Three of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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A report came out recently saying that the Red Sox will consider trading Mookie Betts in the offseason. Here’s why they shouldn’t.
There was a report that came out recently that just blew my mind. I know this isn’t the first time this topic has come up, but every time it does I just get more and more baffled. According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Boston Red Sox are considering trading Mookie Betts.
It wouldn’t be during the season, of course, as the July 31 trade deadline has already passed. If a Mookie trade was to happen, it would be sometime this winter.
The expectation comes from the Red Sox pitching struggles this season, as they rank 21st in the majors with a 4.76 ERA. Trading Betts is viewed as the best way to restock the farm system with talented young pitchers.
Betts, 26, rejected an eight-year, $200-million contract extension before the season with his sights set on free agency.
Morosi would go on to suggest that the Atlanta Braves could be a top suitor for Mookie, as they own 4 of the top 100 prospects in baseball. With 2 of those 4 prospects being pitchers, that makes sense, as pitching is something this Red Sox organization desperately needs.
As far as what I think on this, I think it is absolutely ridiculous to even think about trading a guy like Betts. I think we can all universally agree that Mike Trout is not only the greatest player right now, but someone who possibly may go down as the best player to ever play baseball. Dare I say, the best athlete ever. However, Mookie is definitely a top 5 player in baseball, if not top 2, right behind Trout.
Mookie had the year of his life last season, hitting .346 with a 1.079 OPS in 2018. He took home a gold glove, an MVP award, and most importantly a World Series trophy and ring because of that amazing year.
In 2019, some would say he’s having a “down year.” Compared to last season, yes, he is having a down season. But when you compare his numbers next of the rest of the league’s numbers, the reigning MVP is looking pretty darn good.
Although his OPS may be down a bit (.869) he still is in the top 15 in all of baseball in On Base Percentage. His slugging numbers are a little down from last year to this year, but still pretty good.
He ranks 14th in Runs above replacement, 12th in Win probability added, 10th in weighted runs created, 255th in strikeout percentage (the lower the better), and 14th in Wins above replacement.
Here are the most hard hit balls (95 mph+ exit velocity) in 2019, per Baseball Savant.
- 189 – Rafael Devers
- 175 – Mookie Betts
- 174- DJ LeMahieu
- 171 – José Abreu
- 163 – Ronald Acuña Jr.
- 161 – Cody Bellinger
The list just goes on and on, but i’m sure you get the point by now. Betts is undoubtedly one of the games premier players. These stats alone just tell you how dumb it would be to trade a guy like Mookie.
The Red Sox made some smart decisions in extending guys like Xander Bogaerts and Chris Sale, but they need to throw all the money they can at Mookie once he hits free agency. We’re talking about a once in a generation player here, and someone who can very well go down as the face of the Boston Red Sox franchise, and you better believe it.
Next: Sale reaches 200 strikeouts
I’ll be saying this phrase a lot within the next few months, but I’m going to say it right here. Red Sox ownership and front office, do not trade Mookie Betts.