As the Los Angeles Dodgers were pursuing marquee free agents during the offseason, they simultaneously were linked to potential trades with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.
Talks with the Indians for Mike Clevinger and Francisco Lindor stalled, which led to the Dodgers pivoting and revisiting negotiations with the Red Sox for Mookie Betts. Given Boston’s desire to get below the luxury tax threshold this season, David Price was included in trade scenarios as well.
L.A. ultimately wound up striking a deal to acquire both players, with an assist from the Minnesota Twins as a third team. The Dodgers agreed to send Kenta Maeda to the Twins, who would trade pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol to the Red Sox.
While the three-team trade was agreed upon Tuesday night, it has yet to be finalized. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, that’s due to a medical issue with Graterol that may prompt the Red Sox to seek additional compensation:
The Red Sox, after viewing the medical records of Twins right-hander Brusdar Graterol, projected him more as a reliever than as a starter, according to sources involved with the discussions. As a result of that valuation, the Sox might ask for an additional player and/or money to bridge the gap, though it is unclear whether the player would come from the Twins or Dodgers, sources said.
As time wore on without the trade being announced, there was speculation an issue may have stemmed from Alex Verdugo missing the final months of last season due to oblique and back injuries. However, Verdugo was cleared in the evaluation process for the trade:
Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo, the other player ticketed for Boston, has been cleared medically, sources said, even though he did not play after Aug. 4 last season due to a back/oblique/core issue.
Conventional wisdom would have the Twins being the team to satisfy the Red Sox, but the Dodgers easily have the most gain in the blockbuster. They are on the verge of adding the 2018 American League MVP and a starter with World Series experience and success to a team that’s looking to end a 31-year championship drought.
The Dodgers and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman went through a similar experience in December 2014, when the San Diego Padres raised issue after reviewing Matt Kemp’s medical records. There was a delay, but the trade ultimately was completed.
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