Swirling trade rumors from the outset of the offseason have numbed much of the allure that a potential blockbuster typically brings, but it appears that one big piece will soon be changing teams. Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday on MLB Network that Mookie Betts would be traded in the coming days, adding that the situation has reached an “if, not when” stage. Betts would obviously swing the balance of power if added to the right club, so who will acquire the young superstar?
The Dodgers have been rumored as the most likely destination for Betts, who would push the current National League favorites into another tier, at least on paper. Los Angeles would lengthen an already dangerous lineup, while employing one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball to cover a cavernous right field at Dodger Stadium.
In addition to the Dodgers, the Padres have also been linked to Betts for several weeks. GM AJ Preller has a reputation for being aggressive, and his plethora of top prospects could certainly entice the Red Sox to make a deal. San Diego may be slightly outrunning their contention window, but Betts would make them an even more formidable foe in a division that lacks competitive balance beyond the Dodgers.
An MLB.com piece published on Monday mentioned the Braves as a darkhorse possibility, noting that Atlanta has motivation to push themselves beyond their NL East rivals. Far-fetched as that may seem, the Braves also have the prospect capital that the Red Sox might covet. The piece mentions Drew Waters as one potential piece returning to Boston, though Atlanta would likely prefer to deal from their crop of pitching prospects. The Braves are a very unlikely destination for Betts, but this would certainly qualify as a “splash” move that would excite the fan base and add another superstar to an already talented roster.
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