Red Sox President Sam Kennedy says he’s disappointed Mookie Betts has signed a long-term extension with the Dodgers

On Thursday, superstar outfielder Mookie Betts made his debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a massive contract extension. The Boston Red Sox traded the 2018 American League MVP to the Dodgers in a February box office hit.

Technically there was still a chance for Betts to meet with the Red Sox during their next free agency, but with Betts officially locked in for the long haul with the Dodgers, it’s no longer a possibility. It’s a hard pill to swallow for Red Sox president Sam Kennedy.

“I would be less honest if I didn’t say a sense of disappointment and maybe closure and purpose,” Kennedy told the Boston Globe. “Look, we have a plan. We are very confident in the direction of our baseball operation. But obviously it is very difficult to see Mookie Betts sign a long-term agreement elsewhere.”

David Price (who chose not to participate in the 2020 season) was also included in the Betts trade, and the Red Sox received three prospects in return. At the time, the club defended the trade, saying adding prospects was a better option than losing Betts to free agency. Red Sox owner John Henry announced the team’s intention to cut payroll (to avoid the luxury tax penalty) before the 2020 season, and with the Betts trade, the club destroyed $ 27 million of payroll.

“It was unfortunate that we were unable to meet on a contractual basis. It happens in this business,” Kennedy told the Globe after the extension of the Betts Dodgers was announced. “It is one of the most difficult parts of the business.”

The Red Sox won the World Series in 2018 and stepped back in their follow-up season, finishing 84-78 and losing the playoffs. This past offseason, the club was also embroiled in a poster theft scandal that saw the departure of their manager Alex Cora. The CBS Sports staff chose the Red Sox to finish fourth in the 2020 60-game season.

This is what the Betts extension means for the 2020 MLB free agent class, and five MLB players who could follow Betts’ path from commercial success to massive expansion.