Boston Red Sox: No excuse not to sign Mookie Betts

If the Boston Red Sox are to remain contenders for 2020 and beyond, signing Mookie Betts should top their offseason to do list.

Steve Buckley hopes he’s wrong, but he thinks the Boston Red Sox should plan for the end of the Mookie Betts era.

Brendan Mizgala over at BoSox Injection thinks the same. Our own Sam Minton thinks Betts is as good as gone, while Jon Michael Walters is dreaming up ways the Chicago White Sox can trade for Betts.

Betts even told the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier that he doesn’t think his legacy will be impacted by the number of jerseys he wears.

"“It’s pretty cool that they have their career in one place, but you can be remembered in that same fashion even if you put on a couple different jerseys,” said Betts. “It definitely doesn’t hurt to only put on one jersey . . . [But the Yastrzemski celebration] doesn’t sway me [about the future] one way or the other.”"

So, Red Sox Nation, should we brace for Betts to follow other icons like Fred Lynn, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn and Jon Lester out the door? Or will he join Yaz, Jim Rice and (likely) Dustin Pedroia in singing “Boston, you’re my home” next year and beyond?

Ultimately, it’s Mookie Betts decision to make. But remember this: no matter what happens between now and the end of next season, the Boston Red Sox have no reason not to give Betts every penny he’s worth. And if they don’t, they have no one to blame but themselves if Betts is wearing a rival team’s uniforms come 2021.