Recently there has been a lot of rumors swirling around that the White Sox could be a potential suitor for Mookie Betts, the Red Sox super star right fielder.
With Dave Dombrowski out of the picture and Boston missing the playoffs entirely in 2019, it certainly seems like big changes are coming for the Red Sox. Many are even saying it’s not a matter of “if” but rather “when” and “where” Betts gets traded.
Obviously White Sox fans would be thrilled to have a player like Betts patrolling right field for them in 2020. Eloy, Robert, and Betts from left to right is arguably the best outfield in Major League Baseball. But there are a few reasons why Rick Hahn probably won’t pull off a deal like this.
- Betts Only Has 1 Year Remaining Until Free Agency
While trading for Mookie Betts would be one of the more exciting White Sox moves in recent memory, he’d only be here for 1 year. After that, he’d be out the door in pursuit of a 300+ million dollar deal. After last off-season, are you really confident Jerry Reinsdorf would pay him what he wants? I wouldn’t bet on it.
2. The Farm Would Be Depleted
Some may say that since Mookie Betts only has 1 year remaining until free agency, Boston might be willing to take a lesser offer. This is a foolish thing to expect. Betts is still a top 5 position player in baseball and teams closer to winning a championship will certainly be more desperate to offer more than the White Sox would. But for the sake of the argument, let’s say the White Sox do deal for Betts. You’d be saying good-bye to at least 2 of Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease, Nick Madrigal, and Andrew Vaughn. Not to mention lower level prospects with higher ceilings like Matthew Thompson, Steele Walker, etc. So when Betts eventually walks in free agency, the White Sox would not only be losing him, but some valuable prospects as well.
3. The White Sox Would Not Win The World Series Next Year With Betts
By trading for Betts to fill 1 hole, the White Sox would open up a couple more (starting pitching, 2nd base). If Betts were the missing piece for a team, or had numerous years of control, then it would make a lot more sense. Whoever trades for him better be damn sure they are already a World Series contender. The whole point of this rebuild has been to stack young elite talent and trade from the surplus of that when the time is right. While it would be exciting, it would signal that the White Sox are going all in for 1 year. The rebuild is meant for years of sustained success. From a business standpoint, this is a move that just doesn’t make sense in the end.
