Boston Red Sox positioned as winners of the Mookie Betts trade

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Boston Red Sox Chaim Bloom (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox Betts trade: what happens in 2020?

So, Boston Red Sox brand new head of baseball operations Chaim Bloom rolled the dice in a very well-thought move when he traded Mookie Betts, Boston superstar to the LA Dodgers. Betts had made it clear, after reportedly rejecting Boston’s attempts to extend his contract, that he would enter free agency after the 2020 season.

I applaud Chaim Bloom for his perspicacity and foresight. It was clear to many observers that Betts was headed to free agency, no matter what Boston offered unless it was the $400M contract it was reported he wanted. That was a non-starter.

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Bloom was in a precarious portion. He was faced with the loss of the team’s best player and the securing of only a low-value first-round draft pick (or maybe less?) in return. In addition, he was a newly hired Boston de facto “General Manager” and entered the fray with this momentous decision awaiting him.

Bloom ignored these risks and pulled the string on the deal. He ultimately received three players in return. They were Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong and Jeter Downs.

Verdugo is a promising right fielder who had had some major league experience but who had an injury situation to deal with. He has real potential and is probably slated to start in right field.

Connor Wong is a catcher. He didn’t excite Sox fandom very much but there’s a method to Chaim Bloom’s getting him. The Sox minor league system is woefully thin at catcher (among others, like pitching). Wong gives them a legitimate minor league option. He hit 24 home runs between single and double-A last season so he has some pop in his bat to boot.

In addition, they got a young player who may turn out to be the hit of the trade long-term. That’s Jeter Downs. I really like Downs coming back to Boston in the deal. Between A and AA ball, Downs hit .276 along with 24 homers and 24 stolen bases while playing shortstop. Not bad at all.

I see Jeter Downs as the Sox second baseman of the future after a position change. Xander Bogarts, an emerging superstar himself, is locked in at short, deservedly so, but the Sox again are very thin at second.

The Red Sox have been compelled to use converted third baseman there recently since the Pedroia injury and Downs could very well be the long-term solution there. Meanwhile, the Sox signed infielder Jose Peraza and they also have Michael Chavis to compete for the starting job in 2020.

Jeter Downs will start at Portland and will be waiting in the wings. I like the acquisition. A lot.

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