Regrading the Mookie Betts trade: Red Sox look even worse after latest move

The Red Sox DFA’d Jeter Downs on Thursday after 14 MLB games, thus cementing their status as losers of the Mookie Betts trade with the Dodgers.

Chaim Bloom and the Red Sox could really use a break right about now, but they brought this harm onto themselves. On Thursday, Boston designated shortstop Jeter Downs for assignment.

Downs, as you might remember, was one of the core prospects acquired in the Mookie Betts trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The other, Alex Verdugo, has adjusted to Boston with mixed reviews.

Before we move forward, let’s take a look back at the complete trade, which sent Betts and David Price to Los Angeles:

This trade, which occurred in February of 2020, dealt the 2018 AL MVP in Betts as the primary piece to Los Angeles. David Price was another throw-in, though still a suitable starter at that age. The money sent to LA in this deal was just more evidence of the salary dump Boston was incurring.

Who won the Mookie Betts trade? Dodgers in a landslide

Even without much of a contribution from Price — who sat out 2020 due to COVID-19, and then transitioned to a relief role shortly thereafter — Betts alone makes this a tremendous win for the Dodgers.

Betts has made two All-Star Games with LA, and finished second in NL MVP voting in his first year with the Dodgers. He won a World Series with the Dodgers in 2020, as well, and has won two silver sluggers and two gold gloves. Betts is one of the faces of baseball.

Why did the Red Sox trade Mookie Betts?

Boston traded away Mookie Betts because they did not want to sign him to a long-term contract extension. Instead, Betts is tied to LA through the 2032 season without any opt-outs. Barring a trade, Betts will likely retire as a Dodger, and a tremendous ‘what if’ in Boston.

What happened to the Red Sox prospects?

Alex Verdugo has proven himself as a reliable presence in the Red Sox lineup. He is no Mookie Betts, but Verdugo should not be frowned upon or overlooked in that trade. He finished 12th in MVP voting in 2020, his first year in Boston, and has since slashed respectable numbers at the plate. As for the rest of the trade…it doesn’t look great.

Connor Wong is a backup catcher at best. He hits under the Mendoza line and has no place on the Boston roster as an everyday player. Downs only lasted 14 games at the MLB level, and was DFA’d by the Sox in the 2022-23 offseason. Yikes.

Regarding the Mookie Betts trade: Red Sox, Dodgers grades

Boston Red Sox grade: D. Were Boston a small-market club, this trade would have made more sense. The pieces the Sox received back have made minimal impact, outside of Alex Verdugo. Betts, meanwhile, is a regular MVP frontrunner, and should be an All-Star in LA for quite some time. He’s a future Hall of Famer at this pace.

Los Angeles Dodgers grade: A. The Dodgers acquired a future Hall of Famer on the cheap and signed him to a long-term contract. He’ll retire in LA and will likely go into Cooperstown as a Dodger. What’s not to love?