As star outfielder Mookie Betts near free agency, his contract number moves higher and higher. On Friday, the Red Sox and Betts reportedly settled on arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $20 million.
According to Jeff Passion of ESPN, both sides reportedly reached agreement on the one-year deal on Friday. Given it is only Betts’ second year of arbitration, it is a massive number for the young outfielder.
Mookie Betts settled with the Boston Red Sox at $20 million, league source familiar with the agreement tells ESPN. A huge number that sets a new standard for 4+ players. His number next year, if he doesn’t work out an extension, could be gargantuan.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 11, 2019
Betts is coming off another monster season in Boston with a 1.078 OPS, .346 batting average, 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases.
He will be arbitration-eligible for the final time next season before becoming a free agent heading into his age-28 season in 2021.