You get to expect truly wild stories these days, but this is one that is completely outside the realm of any kind of “wild” story I was hoping to see this year.
Lou Merloni: Mookie Betts, Dodgers near long-term deal https://t.co/vjELImVpZM pic.twitter.com/9X5OyOm9yC
– WEEI (@WEEI) July 22, 2020
Boston radio station WEEI and Lou Merloni report that Mookie Betts, one of the game’s biggest stars, will not make it to free agency this offseason as expected, and will speak to the Dodgers again in a 10-deal deal. years worth something in the $ 350 to $ 400 million range “within the next two days”.
That is almost too shocking to give credit. But as WEEI pointed out on Twitter, Merloni had a bit of an inside plate earlier this year regarding previous Red Sox and Betts extension talks, making you wonder if he has a good source at Betts camp. . Let’s see if this gains national momentum before it gets too crazy.
Betts, 27, is probably the best baseball player outside of Mike Trout, and he’s been performing at the superstar level for a while:
The Dodgers traded for Betts before the season, acquiring their last year of control of the team, and no doubt hoping they can lure him into staying for a long time thereafter. The world, of course, changed considerably after that, and Betts has yet to change seasons in Dodger Blue.
Can this be real? Are the Dodgers really going to sign a monster, monster deal right now? Not knowing what this offseason will be like after the ravages of COVID-19? Not knowing what next year’s finances will bring? What will the CBA do after next year? I’m amazed that any team (yes, even the Dodgers) would sign this kind of deal right now (yes, even with Betts).
But that is the report. In a normal world, such treatment at that price would not surprise you. Sure, it would be absolutely huge and potentially a record extension, but with higher-level players seeing their wages continue to rise, I was able to fully see this deal. Again, however: in a normal world. If Betts can get this deal right now, they should accept it.
We will keep a close eye on this, because the ramifications for the market and any hopes and dreams you had about the Cubs may haunt Betts this offseason (or maybe following out of season after a one-year deal to overcome post-COVID consequences), they are amazing.
UPDATE: I am stunned, but it is happening:
A source described the extension talks between Mookie Betts and the #Dodgers as “quite real.” @LouMerloni reported that the parties were close to an agreement of at least 10 years.
– Joel Sherman (@ Joelsherman1) July 22, 2020
The parameters @LouMerloni first alluded to, a 10-year deal, would be the ones that would force Betts to give up free agency. The devil will be in the details: the money, the payment structure, how to proceed if fans can’t return in 2021, and other important matters.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 22, 2020
Perhaps some of the COVID-related consequences will be contracted in special language, making a 10-year, $ 400 million deal really more like a “10-year, $ 400 million deal, if this and also if that, but not if this And neither if that. “
