Francisco Lindor and Mookie Betts have been the two stars that the Dodgers have most often been linked to this off-season. There have been various rumors with the Boston Red Sox reportedly taking a liking to catcher Will Smith and also hoping to attach the albatross contract of left-handed pitcher David Price. According to reports on the Lindor front, the Dodgers have also engaged in talks with the Cleveland Indians on ace right-hander Mike Clevinger.
These are all things we know up to now.
With a lack of recent reports regarding the talks between the Indians and Dodgers, it is safe to assume that the Indians would like to hold onto Francisco Lindor for the 2020 season and that the Dodgers refused to include top prospects in proposals. Now, though, the Dodgers seem to be in the midst of pivoting. According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Dodgers are now more likely to acquire outfielder Mookie Betts from the Red Sox than they are to acquire Francisco Lindor.
Sources: #Dodgers discussing Mookie Betts with the #RedSox at least as much as they are Francisco Lindor with the #Indians. Boston could combine Betts and Price in a deal that nets the Red Sox a prospect and salary relief. Story: https://t.co/j9mLE3LOX6 @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 2, 2020
This report makes total sense and is likely accurate. However, Morosi took it a step further:
“As a result, sources say the Dodgers’ negotiations with the Red Sox about acquiring Mookie Betts have become at least as frequent — and perhaps even more involved — than their talks with the Indians about Lindor.”
Morosi also notes that the Dodgers could look to take on the contract of David Price in a deal for Mookie Betts in an effort to lessen the prospect capital going back to Boston.
Betts remains one of the best positional players in the league and would be a huge addition to the lineup, especially as a right-handed bat. He is capable of winning the NL MVP and a core of him, Cody Bellinger, and Max Muncy would be a fearsome one.
Price is less interesting, but he is consistent. He is currently being paid like a number-one starter, but is more of a number-four at this stage of his career. The Dodgers would likely get some money back in a deal for both Betts and Price unless they were able to offload the contract of AJ Pollock.
This deal appears likelier than it did last week. While it may never come to fruition, it is fun to dream.
NEXT: Joe Davis Talks Francisco Lindor and More on MLB Network
