The Mookie Betts Trade Is Getting Worse All The Time

In “The Empire Strikes Back” Darth Vader altered his deal with Lando Calrissian to keep Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO in Cloud City. Calrissian later muttered, “This deal is getting worse all the time.” Since shipping out Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom is probably thinking the same thing. After trading Betts, the Red Sox received prospects Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong. Downs is no longer with the team and there are rumors that this could be Verdugo’s final season in Boston. Given some of the issues that the Red Sox have had with him, this isn’t a shocker. If Verdugo is traded, this deal will continue to look even worse on Bloom.

The Failed Mookie Betts Trade

Three years ago, Mookie Betts was negotiating with the Red Sox on a long-term deal. Unable to come to an agreement, Boston shipped him along with David Price to the Dodgers for prospects Jeter Downs, Alex Verdugo, and Connor Wong. Downs quickly flamed out, Wong seems to be serviceable, and Verdugo has been a decent player himself. In summary, none of them have been all-stars or equaled the production that Betts has given the Dodgers.

Verdugo Hasn’t Lived Up To His Potential

After this season, Verdugo will be in the final year of team control before he is eligible for free agency. In four seasons in Boston, Verdugo has put up a slash line of .285/.344/.426 with an OPS of .770. While Verdugo has put together some productive seasons, he isn’t meeting the all-star player potential that the Red Sox thought they were getting. It can be argued he was the best player to come out of that trade for the Red Sox. However, I don’t see Boston signing Verdugo to an extension.

Alex Verdugo Hasn’t Grown Up Yet

During his days with the Dodgers, Verdugo was plagued by immaturity and controversy. It is part of the reason why he hasn’t realized his full potential as a player. This has seemingly followed him to the Red Sox clubhouse. Recently, despite facing the Toronto Blue Jays in a crucial series, Verdugo was benched. This was reportedly because Verdugo arrived late to the ballpark. Verdugo is a veteran player at this point and should know better. This isn’t the first time that Verdugo was benched this season. Verdugo previously ended up on Alex Cora’s naughty list due to failing to run out a ground ball.

This Might Be It For Alex Verdugo

While this deal was already considered a failed trade, it continues to get worse as time passes. As Betts has continued to have success with the Dodgers, Chaim Bloom has had to try to cut his losses on failed players. Boston recently tried to shop him around at the trade deadline. With the situation the Sox are in with Verdugo, he might have to do it again. Given the issues he has brought to Boston, I don’t foresee Boston being interested in signing him to an extension.

For more on baseball, check out Belly Up Sports and follow Eric on Twitter.