Red Sox rumors: DFA’ing Jeter Downs proves team lost Mookie Betts trade
The Boston Red Sox continue to make moves to try and improve their roster for 2023. They DFA’ed Eric Hosmer, after only playing 14 games with the club. They also decided that it was time to DFA another prospect that they had high hopes for a few years ago. That prospect’s name? Jeter Downs.
You may have heard the name Jeter Downs, but you might not remember why he is so significant. Downs was the centerpiece in the Mookie Betts trade back in 2020. But now, he will potentially be playing for another team come the 2023 season.
With all of that said, it just continues to prove that the Red Sox significantly lost the Mookie Betts trade.
Jeter Downs was a top prospect for the Boston Red Sox
Jeter Downs was a prospect that Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox were really excited about having in the organization. Sure, you lost a generational talent in Mookie Betts. But at least we’re getting an integral piece of the future. Right?! Well…no.
It seemed like Jeter Downs was somebody that was going to be a future piece in the middle infield for this Red Sox team. But now, he’s a free agent because of high strikeout numbers and low productivity.
What does this say about Chaim Bloom? What does this move say about the guy that was supposed to come in and make the right moves? Well, it tells me he missed the mark…again.
Downs wasn’t the only bad piece for the Boston Red Sox in the trade
I know this article is about Jeter Downs. But besides Downs, the other two pieces in the Mookie Betts trade haven’t been All-stars either.
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Alex Verdugo has had his moments where he’s been a fun player to watch. A high energy guy that’s passionate and loves to play the game. But his power numbers are lacking and at times, his base-running decisions can be questionable. We haven’t really seen Alex Verdugo break out into a star outfielder, like I’m sure Red Sox fans were hoping for when he came to Boston.
Connor Wong is still unproven. He’s shown very small doses of hitting for power as well as a good arm behind the plate. He still has time to prove he can be a valuable big league player. But for right now, Wong is simply a back-up catcher. Nothing more.
The bottom line with Jeter Downs and the Boston Red Sox
Once again, Chaim Bloom has shown us that he’s made moves to make this Boston Red Sox team progressively worse.
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We all know the Mookie Betts situation was a disaster. It was a move to get money off the books and essentially start over, from a payroll perspective. I’m a believer in the theory that if the Red Sox wanted Mookie long-term, they could’ve gotten the deal done.
But now with Jeter Downs out of the picture, what do you have to show for it? A respectable outfielder and a back-up catcher? Absolutely pathetic.
If we keep seeing DFAs from guys like Downs, we could see Chaim Bloom out of Boston sooner rather than later. This trade continues to look worse and worse as the days continue on!