Fansided

5 potential scenarios if the Red Sox trade Mookie Betts

By Brad Berreman

BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 8: Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning. The Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Sep. 8, 2019. (Photo by Nic Antaya for The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 8: Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning. The Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Sep. 8, 2019. (Photo by Nic Antaya for The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images /

2. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are a virtual lock to lose 90 games this season (66-86 entering Friday), for the third straight season. But the future seems bright, with Lucas Giolito finding an ace level this year and Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Dylan Cease looking like building blocks. Manager Rick Renteria has gotten something of a commitment from the front office, so there won’t be a change there.

With the lowest current payroll commitments for 2020 before taking into account arbitration raises, etc ($23.83 million, according to Spotrac), the White Sox don’t have to worry about taking on Betts’ salary for next year. Right now their 2021 balance sheet is pretty clean (27th-highest in baseball), and that’s presumably the case beyond that too. So they can also make a nice contract offer.

The White Sox have a somewhat top-heavy farm system, with five of MLB.com’s top-43 prospects at mid-season this year. A couple good prospects, and a major leaguer who fits a need for Boston, could very well bring Betts to the South Side of Chicago.

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