Even before Mookie Betts played his first game in Dodger Blue, the superstar outfielder decided his future is in Los Angeles.
Betts and the Dodgers have reached baseball’s first big-money deal since the coronavirus pandemic decimated the sport’s economy, and Betts agreed on a 12-year, $ 365 million contract Wednesday through 2032.
The massive deal removes the best offensive player in the free agent class for the upcoming offseason and puts the Boston Red Sox slugger at the center of the Los Angeles lineup for what he believes will be the rest of his career. The Dodgers only acquired Betts in an exchange on February 10, but they enthusiastically sidestepped the uncertainties of free agency for a secure future with an organization that already feels right at home.
“I love being here,” Betts said in a video conference from Dodger Stadium, where he will make his Dodger debut Thursday against San Francisco. “I love everything around here. I am here to win some rings and return the championships to Los Angeles. That’s all I’m focused on. “
The new Betts deal is the second-largest dollar in baseball behind the 12-year, $ 426.5 million contract for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, covering 2019-30. Trout and Betts are arguably the top two outfielders in the game, and they now both have deals that should keep them playing 32 miles apart for at least the next decade.
“I’m excited for him,” said Trout, who sent a congratulatory text message to Betts. “We went through the same situation. I laughed at the physical exam that he probably had to take, because mine lasted about 10 hours. Being so close to him now, it’s great to have him here. Southern California is great. “
Betts, who turns 28 in October, was acquired alongside pitcher David Price by three promising Dodgers prospects in a successful trade that signaled Los Angeles’ determination to win the World Series after claiming the National League pennants in 2017 and 2018.
While Price opted to exit the current season due to family health issues, Betts will be at the center of the Dodgers’ roster as they pursue their first championship in 32 years as a World Series favorite.
The Pocket Dodgers have handled their payroll with remarkable discipline under Baseball COO Andrew Friedman, even as he occasionally frustrated fans with his caution. Friedman had no such concerns about delivering this massive commitment to the 5-foot-9in Betts, the 2018 American League MVP and one of the best overall players in the major leagues.
“It was a thought for us,” said Friedman. “It was something we really wanted to do. … We were hoping that he would come here, fall in love with him, go out and win a lot of games. “
Friedman began discussing a long-term deal with Betts reps in March before the coronavirus pandemic ended the season. Last week they resumed discussions and an agreement was quickly reached.
“Our desire to do something did not change at all,” Friedman said. “It helps when both sides come together from the point of view of wanting to reach an agreement.”
Betts had agreed to a $ 27 million, one-year deal with the Red Sox, a salary that has been reduced to $ 10 million in prorated pay due to the shorter season.
Betts’ average salary of $ 30.42m follows Gerrit Cole ($ 36m), Trout ($ 35.5m), Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon ($ 35m each), Zack Greinke ($ 34.4m), Justin Verlander $ 31.3m ) and new teammates Price and Clayton Kershaw ($ 31 million each).
Betts won the Gold Glove four times and won the MVP award en route to the Boston World Series title. He hit .295 with 29 home runs and 80 RBIs last year, below the major league leader’s .346 average with 32 home runs and 80 RBIs in his MVP season.
The Red Sox angered a large part of their fan base when they traded in their local superstar instead of working for a long-term deal. When Betts was asked if he would have agreed to a similar deal with Boston, he paused and smiled, calling it “a very valid question.”
“I think I just want to go on, I’m here in Los Angeles,” Betts said.
Their deal leaves catcher JT Realmuto, outfielder George Springer, shortstop Marcus Semien and pitchers Trevor Bauer and Marcus Stroman the best players heading for free agency.
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