What the Mookie Betts Blockbuster Means for the Dodgers
On February 9, the Dodgers finally pulled off the blockbuster of the year and acquired outfielder Mookie Betts and starting pitcher David Price from the Boston Red Sox. According to CBS Sports, the Dodgers made two separate deals instead of a three-team trade.
The First Deal
Dodgers Receive: Mookie Betts, David Price, cash considerations
Red Sox Receive: Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, Connor Wong
The Second Deal
Dodgers Receive: Brusdar Graterol, Luke Raley, 67th pick in 2020 MLB Draft
Twins Receive: Kenta Maeda, prospect TBA
What This Means for the Dodgers
In my mind, the Dodgers become World Series favorites with this trade. In addition to adding his name to the City of Stars, Betts provides more firepower to the Dodgers’ already loaded hitting lineup. The 27-year-old right-hander had a .295 Batting Average for the Red Sox last year and has hit .301 for his career. Their starting nine-man lineup would consist of Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Gavin Lux, Will Smith, and Clayton Kershaw.
They also receive David Price, a 34-year-old starting pitcher, who has a 4.28 ERA this year and a career 3.31 ERA. He started all 22 games for the Red Sox last season. He comes to LA with a pitching lineup of Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, and Alex Wood. While his high ERA may be shocking, Price also contributes as a hitter, averaging .295 last year and .301 in his career.
One of the more intriguing players the Dodgers get is Brusdar Graterol, a pitcher with a 103.8 MPH fastball. In ten minor-league games, he averaged a 4.66 ERA. However, the MLB had him 68th in prospect rankings, and he is hailed as the Twins’ best pitching prospect. Graterol’s role with the boys in blue remains to be seen, but he could serve as a reliable option if the injury bug plagues the Dodgers’ pitching core.
The Dodgers also acquire OF/1B prospect, Luke Raley, from the Twins. Raley, originally drafted by the Dodgers in 2017, returns after being shipped off as part of the Brian Dozier trade. He had 82 At Bats for the Salt River Rafters, with three home runs. He finished the season with a .244 Batting Average.
On the other side, the Dodgers lose outfielder Alex Verdugo and, in a separate deal, also lose starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to the Twins.
Verdugo, drafted by the Dodgers in 2014, averaged .282 for his career. He had 343 At Bats and 12 Home Runs last season.
Maeda, a right-handed pitcher who made his Dodger debut in 2017, averaged a 3.87 ERA in 137 games (103 starts) with the Dodgers. He also had 637 career strikeouts with them.
Overall, this move by the Dodgers fully shifts the spotlight to them as they chase their first World Series win since 1987.
SOURCES
“Brusdar Graterol Minor Leagues Statistics and History”. Baseball-Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=grater000bru
“David Price Stats”. Baseball-Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/priceda01.shtml
“Depth Chart | Los Angeles Dodgers”. MLB. http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=la
“Joc Pederson Stats”. Baseball-Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pederjo01.shtml
“Kenta Maeda Stats”. Baseball-Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maedake01.shtml
“Luke Raley College, Amateur, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History”. Baseball-Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=raley-000luc
“Mookie Betts Stats”. Baseball-Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml
Neal III, La Velle E. “Brusdar Graterol — and his 103.8-mph fastball — arrive with Twins”. StarTribune. http://www.startribune.com/brusdar-graterol-and-his-103-8-mph-fastball-arrive-with-twins/559085272/
