While the Boston Red Sox remain focused on trading Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers, multiple MLB teams are starting to reach out to potentially spoil the blockbuster trade.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, multiple organizations started reaching out to Boston when the three-team blockbuster trade encountered its first bump on Thursday.
In the original deal, the Red Sox would have received Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo and Minnesota Twins pitcher Brusdar Graterol. In exchange for Graterol, Minnesota would receive Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda and the Red Sox would send Betts, Price and Cash to the Red Sox.
However, Boston’s medical staff determined that Graterol’s history of arm troubles likely meant he couldn’t be a starting pitcher. After making that determination, following negative backlash for trading Betts to save money, the Red Sox asked the Twins for another top prospect.
The Twins have rejected Boston’s request and are reportedly prepared to pull out of the three-team deal if the asking price doesn’t change. Minnesota could decide to trade Graterol directly to the Dodgers for Maeda, per Feinsand, but the front office is reportedly leaning towards removing itself from the deal entirely.
The Dodgers and Red Sox continue to discuss potential resolutions to complete the trade, feeling the pressure from the MLB Players’ Association and with players soon needing to report for spring training.
Los Angeles is also under additional scrutiny from Angels owner Arte Moreno. The Angels agreed to trade Luis Rengifo to the Dodgers as part of a deal for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling. But, because of the circumstances surrounding the Betts’ acquisition, that deal is also on hold.
Boston and Los Angeles have discussed a scenario where the Dodgers eat more of Price’s $96 million contract and only send Verdugo. That possibility is reportedly more likely than finding another third team to help complete the deal.
If talks ultimately breakdown, the Padres are the favorites to jump in and land Betts from Boston. If we’ve learned anything from this trade fiasco, though, nothing will go how anyone expects.