Despite a delay in the Mookie Betts trade between the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins because of an issue with Brusdar Graterol’s medicals, the general sentiment was the deal eventually would be completed.
The three-team blockbuster was agreed upon Tuesday night, but Wednesday came and went without it being finalized, and so did Thursday. All the while, the teams were said to have remained in talks as they sought a resolution.
There was some belief the Dodgers would acquire a prospect from another team to then include in their trade with the Twins and Red Sox. Another report suggested the Twins and Red Sox were sorting out matters directly.
While it’s unclear how the gap will be bridged, the Red Sox may covet a second top prospect as part of their return, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Talks will continue today between at least the Red Sox and Twins. But while there’s obvious urgency here and all 3 teams are motivated to complete the Mookie mega deal, movement has been slow. Boston is niw believed looking for a 2nd top prospect in addition to Graterol.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020
And even with the twists the trade has taken, there is an expectation it could be finalized as early as Friday, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports:
The Mookie Betts/David Price #RedSox–#Dodgers trade is expected to finally become official today, the teams say, which means the Joc Pederson/Ross Stripling trade from the Dodgers LA to the #Angels becomes official as well.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 7, 2020
Should the three-team trade with the Twins fail to materialize, the Dodgers and Red Sox are pursuing other options as well:
There’s been a lot of back and forth between Red Sox and Twins to try to wrap up the Mookie mega deal. And just in case, the Red Sox and Dodgers are also looking at ways to do deal without the Twins, either directly or by using a different 3rd team.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020
The original agreement called for the Dodgers to receive Betts, David Price and cash considerations from the Red Sox. Alex Verdugo and Graterol are bound for Boston, and Kenta Maeda is headed to Minnesota. Of course, there figures to be some modification in light of the Graterol saga.
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