Dodgers are signing Mookie Betts to $380 million deal

The Dodgers have signed Mookie Betts to a 13-year mega contract.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a huge splash just one day before their season begins, signing outfielder Mookie Betts to a 13-year $380 million contract. Betts was due to become a free agent this offseason. This becomes the second richest contract in MLB history, with only Mike Trout’s 12-year $426 million deal larger.

The Dodgers acquired Betts from the Red Sox in a three-team trade this February. The Dodgers gave up Alex Verdugo, Kenta Maeda, and prospect Jeter Downs in return for Betts.

In his six years with the Red Sox, Betts won four Gold Gloves, an AL MVP, a batting title, and a World Series. Betts is one of the most complete players in the MLB. He can hit for power and average, steal bases and provide elite defense in right field.

The Dodgers will be dangerous for a long time.

Moving forward, the Dodgers surely have one of the best cores in the MLB. Betts is one of three former MVPs the Dodgers have under contract, with Cody Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw also having won the award. This deal cements the Dodgers as one of the MLB’s heavyweights for years to come.

In each of the last four years, the Dodgers have lost to the eventual World Series champions, with two of those losses coming in the World Series itself. Betts will look to change their fortunes in 2020 and beyond.

While the deal may look genius now, 13 years is an extremely long term. By the time the deal expires, Betts will be 40 years old. If Betts ages like the rest of us do, the last few years of that contract may not look great for the Dodgers.

However, you can’t fault the Dodgers for locking down one of the MLB’s best players to whatever term he wanted. When a player like Betts comes around, you can’t blame a team for paying him whatever he wants.