What the Mookie Betts trade means for Atlanta Braves
By James Kunkle
As the baseball world is still reeling from the huge Mookie Betts trade. We examine what this means for the Atlanta Braves.
The baseball world and hot stove certainly got lit up in a big way on late Tuesday evening as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Minnesota Twins engaged on a massive three-team deal that includes both Mookie Betts and David Price switching coasts and going to play for the Dodgers now. What does that mean for the Atlanta Braves is our main question.
It certainly looks as if the Dodgers are the best team in the National League on paper, but as we all know, the game is not played on paper.
Before this deal, it was at least questionable if the Atlanta Braves were better than the Dodgers to begin with. Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t?
As some may know, I was one of a few it seemed, that really wanted the Atlanta Braves to try and acquire Mookie Betts.
I still believe he is the second-best player in the game. Sorry, I love Ronald Acuna Jr., but I am not ready to put him there yet. It was not crazy to think about the idea of adding Betts at the cost of also including David Price and half his contract that the Dodgers also took on in this deal too.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox that would send star outfielder Mookie Betts and starter David Price to the Dodgers, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Deal is pending medical reviews.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2020
With that said, I still think David Price is a quality pitcher who just needs to stay healthy. Easier said than done, I know.
Again, I do not know if the Atlanta Braves were the favorites for the NL before this, as I think there was about 5 or 6 teams who could win the pennant, but I’m convinced now the clear favorite is the Dodgers.
I expect many spring predictions for the World Series will now be the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The most aggravating part of this deal was it seems the Dodgers were on the verge of being shut out, for the most part, this Winter and were taking a step backwards, but that is not the case anymore.
Let’s look on the bright side though, all it takes is a team to get hot for a few weeks and they can surprise anyone and be the champs.
Besides, it’s not like the Dodgers are known for their postseason excellence. Also, it’s important to note that the Atlanta Braves still have a better bullpen than the Dodgers. That’s gotta account for something, right?
Next. In the wild blue Yonder. dark
At the end of the day, let’s hope this move does not pay off for the Dodgers and they lose Mookie Betts to free agency in one short year.