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Could the Atlanta Braves trade for Mookie Betts?

By Matthew Browning

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs to first base during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie  Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after the Red Sox defeat Baltimore Orioles 5-4 at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie  Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after the Red Sox defeat Baltimore Orioles 5-4 at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Boston Red Sox are looking to cut salary and one of the players that could be on the move is All-Star and former MVP outfielder Mookie Betts. Could the Atlanta Braves be one of Betts’ suitors?

As things currently stand, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ender Inciarte are projected to be apart of the Atlanta Braves outfield next season.

Nick Markakis has a team-option that could be declined, Adam Duvall is in his second year of arbitration and could be non-tendered and prospects Austin Riley, Cristian Pache and Drew Waters might not be ready to break camp with the Braves.

So there might be an open outfield spot to fill this offseason.

Is it possible that a current Boston Red Sox outfielder could be the third piece to the outfield puzzle?

Mookie Betts has one year left in arbitration and MLB Trade Rumors is projecting him to make $27.7 million next season, so it makes plenty of sense for the Red Sox to attempt to trade him.

Last season, Betts hit 29 home runs with 80 runs driven in and an OPS of .915. In 2018, when he won the AL MVP, Betts led the league in slugging (.640) and average (.346).

With three gold glove awards and another one likely coming next month, Betts is also one of the preeminent center fielders in the game.

Betts will be 28 years old when he hits free agency next offseason, so he is in line for a significant payday and very few teams will be able to afford him.

But for a team like the Braves, who will not be in the Betts’ free agency bidding war, does it make sense to have him for just a year?

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