Fansided

5 teams that should start planning a trade for Mookie Betts

By Joshua Sadlock

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after being doused by Gatorade after scoring the game winning run on a walk-off single hit by Rafael Devers #11 during the ninth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 29, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after being doused by Gatorade after scoring the game winning run on a walk-off single hit by Rafael Devers #11 during the ninth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 29, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 9: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 9, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 9: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 9, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

2. Chicago Cubs

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, the Cubs need to do something bold this offseason to shake things up. Since their World Series win in 2016, the team has looked stagnant. While they did win two more NL Central titles before coming up short this year, every season has been a grind. The Cubs budding dynasty could be over before it starts if Theo Epstein can’t find a way to breathe some life back into his club.

The Cubs primary focus for now needs to be on finding the right manager to replace Joe Maddon. Chicago is in for a culture shock after parting ways with the man who helped end their century of World Series futility. Not much will change regarding the team’s status as a legitimate contender with their new manager, but the style of leadership at the top will definitely be different. Depending on who ultimately ends up with the job, Epstein and the front office may begin exerting more control over the decision-making process in the dugout.

Numerous big trades over the past four seasons have stripped the Cubs farm system of any elite talent that would entice the Red Sox to give up their MVP. The name at the top of a package going to Boston would have to come from the current MLB roster.

Kyle Schwarber has had future DH written all over him since making his MLB debut. Could he be the big name going to the Red Sox for Mookie Betts? The 26-year-old is coming off the best full season of his career, hitting 38 home runs and driving in 92 with a reasonable strikeout rate. His swing looks tailor made for Fenway Park and the bandboxes of the AL East.

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