Betts & Price are Dodgers

Posted By on February 4, 2020

I have no clue what the deal is, but allegedly Alex Verdugo is headed to the Red Sox.

I am not excited… or unexcited either. More to come!

Bumsrap will be upset because Joc Pederson is gone.

This is a blockbuster!

This article has 74 Comments

  2. Hearing Twins might be involved in a 3-way. Hearing Joc may get sent to Angels. Hearing May was involved in the deal. Nothing confirmed.

  3. I guess the flood gates opened. I hope we go to bed knowing all the moving parts. Interested in what the Twins are getting. And what the Angels are sending back for Joc.

    1. Looks like a low average infielder who can run and draw a few walks. I’ll leave it to our minor league experts. The Joc deal was done totally separately. Seems like they just unloaded his salary and handed over LF to Pollock.

      1. Baseball America scouting report: Rengifo is a strong and athletic switch-hitter with a compact swing and a line-drive approach. He stays in the strike zone and doesn’t chase, allowing him to find good pitches to drive on a line. He doesn’t elevate for home runs but has extra-base power and is getting stronger…a potential OBP machine who can steal bases?

        1. Rengifo is a stud. He’s no Gavin Lux. But he’s a baller. Watched him play many times. I’m very happy he’s a Dodger. In coming months Dodger fans will be very happy he’s in the blue. Mark my words.

    1. It’s pretty simple. Joc loses playing time with Betts here and would leave next year. Get a player with versatility and two options

    2. Pollock would have done a lot of bitching about platooning with Joc. I’m guessing they couldn’t find a taker for AJ. Also, moving Joc’s $9 million probably keeps them under the luxury tax. Seems like there still should be more. Twins gave up their #3 prospect to get Maeda.

      Price moves into the rotation with Buehler, CK, Urias, Wood, and Price. Maeda would have gone to the pen and been an unhappy camper.

      1. I’m scratching my head about the Twins move. Their #3 prospect for Maeda? Seems like an overpay.

  14. But I love the Boston deal. Hate to lose Verdugo but just him and An unhappy Maeda for Betts and a half priced Price. No Downs no Gray no Gonsolin no Ferguson no Ruiz! Masterful job by AF! Well done!

    2. Agree with you completely. No big prospects given up, acquired a top five MLB OF in Betts, acquired an excellent #3 SP for just $16 million a year. Joc was set to make between $7-9 million and was not going to be signed longterm. Great job AF

  15. An amazing set of trades for Dodgers.

    I’m also a Sox fan and while the return is good. I don’t get why you every trade Betts. Fucking owners and the CBT

  17. I can’t figure how the Padres couldn’t beat this deal.

    I mean it’s obvious the RedSox purpose in this deal was shedding salary.
    Verdugo is a very good young player, Graterol is #83 overal prospect. But we traded away one of the best players AND shelled out circa $50M on Price.

    Feel like return should have been much better

  18. It is great to get Betts. Let’s hope we an sign him for many years. I am not thrilled to have to take Price, but for half the salary, it is not too bad. Is that for the rest of his three years on his contract? As far as Pederson, that is not an even trade, but perhaps we are trying to stay under the luxury tax, or just save some money after picking up significant contracts, and we figure he is gone after next year. Still, he had value for this year, or at the trade deadline, and they could have platooned him again. Now we are pretty short of outfielders.

    I have no idea about Rengifo, but it doesn’t sound like he is too helpful. The key to all of this is signing Betts, and I hope that we are confident of that, because of we don’t, we will have holes in the outfield. Sign Betts, and we will have one of the best lineups in baseball. Things look more exciting for the upcoming season, and I think we needed this.

  19. Thank you Joc for some great moments. Loved your boyhood enthusiasm for the game and all the post season drama! You will be missed and I will continue to wear your jersey proudly!

  20. Vassegh says that’s it. The Dodgers acquired Graterol for Maeda then sent Graterol and Verdugo for Price and Mookie. Joc then expected to go Angels for Rengifo.

  21. Getting Betts is cool and all, but I don’t view it as a steal for the Dodgers. I think it’s possible, maybe 60-40 against, that Verdugo has a higher WAR over next five years than does Betts. More potential downside with Verdugo to be sure, but way cheaper too.

  22. Unless they want to move Lux up to leadoff and put Mookie elsewhere:
    Mookie
    Seager
    Turner
    Belli
    Muncy
    Pollock
    Lux
    Smith
    Pitcher

  23. So do the Angels assume the owners role if Joc still goes to arbitration?

    I guess I now want a all LA WS.

  24. We give up Verdugo and Maeda for Betts and Price and half his salary. The Pederson trade was separate. With Pederson not a full time player we were not going get much. Sorry Bum.

  25. Assuming that Belli and Betts are healthy for most of the year, it’s going to leave less playing time than ever for Kike and CT3. They each are going to make about 5 mil this year and neither of them is a particularly good third baseman while each can play all three outfield positions plus short and second. I’m guessing there is some redundancy there and one of them will be traded shortly. Kike has one year left on his contract and Taylor has two so I’m guessing AF would prefer to deal Kike but it might also depend on the return.

    1. If this is our big move(s) for the off season, there is no doubt in my mind that the Dodgers are the favorite for the WS. Acquiring a talent like Betts is very exciting and doesn’t happen very often. Plus, trading out two players that were not on my favorites list, Joc & Maeda, make this a dream come true scenario. Adding the experience of Price is hard to measure and comes at a very opportune time for this pitching staff. May and Gonsolin get to develop and not plopped into the middle of a high pressure situation. Sweet. Rotation looks outstanding! Wishing Verdugo well in his new digs.

      As far as Kike and CT3 go, they get to continue their utility roles and it certainly looks like platooning has come to an end. This is something I’ve wanted to see for some years now. Every team needs utility guys. The problem is how much are they willing to pay them. Joc’s salary doomed him. Will this be the fate of our two backups? It’s as much of a money game as a talent game these days. Looking forward to that ring in October!

  26. Verdugo may one day get to Betts’ level but isn’t now and won’t be this year. This year is the year that counts.
    Price will likely (potentially) be as valuable as Meada has been hopefully, better. That’s an even deal in my opinion.
    Joc, we will miss him but we have no shortage in the OF.
    Hernandez and Taylor out there unless they get shipped out. Looks like a good move, well done AF.

  27. The Angels have some serious firepower in that lineup. If their pitching gets anywhere close to decent they could finally get Trout some more post season ab’s!

  29. Would Cleveland want Rengifo?
    Is Lindor in play?
    Should Seager, Hernandez, Taylor, and Downs be wondering if they are part of the next shoe to drop?

    I’m happy for Joc. If he were going to be traded it is nice that he doesn’t have to leave LA and his new wife and daughter get to stay in the same house. Playing with Trout is cool as well. Champ will be happy to have Joc and Pujols on the same team.

  30. Figuring out a AF trade is like figuring an algebraic equation. I’m still trying to understand all the moving pieces.

    I’m sad to see Joc and Verdugo go. I enjoyed them as Dodgers and wish them well in the future. But on the other hand, we got Mookie Betts!!

  31. Angels-Dodgers trade is not yet done as players are being informed, source tells The Athletic. Angels getting Joc Pederson, a big league starter and a prospect (A. Pages, OF) from the Dodgers in exchange for Luis Rengifo and another prospect.

    1. Stripling?

      I had somewhat expected Price to get flipped to Anaheim if the Betts deal happened, but word is that Price is staying in LA.

      1. Someone pointed out that it appears that Jeff Fletcher, the Angels beat writer for the Orange County Register, started following Stripling on Twitter tonight.

  32. Just read that Andy Pages is also going to the Angels. We have to be getting more than Rengifo back.

    1. Agreed. Sounds like a Dodger pitcher may be going too. Stripling? Dodgers should get more too. A relief pitcher?

  33. Excited to have Mookie and hopeful that Price will stay healthy and return to being an impactful pitcher. I don’t agree with giving up Joc for Rengifo. We have an overload of middle infielders and Joc gave us 36 home runs in ‘19 plus he was a proven post season player. If 2020 is our year, why not keep Joc for one more season? We will surely miss him.

  34. Verdugo was tough to let go. I’m a bit torn. But, at least for 2020 we have Betts. Hopefully for longer. Kenta is gone, but I’d rather let him go than prospects.

    This was a solid move.

    Joc? With Betts we no longer need him in the OF. We already have a $12+ Million/year 4th outfielder.

    And mark my words. Hold me accountable. Feel free to rub my face in it all if I am wrong…

    By September, you all will be very happy having Luis Rengifo in Dodger Blue. The kid can play. The Angels rushed him to the Show because they had nothing to lose. Just like Griffin Canning. He will start in AAA. But he will contribute.

    This brings me back to a conversation I had with a regional scout. I asked him “what is the most overrated attribute scouts look at?”. His answer was “size”. I followed that up with “what is the most underrated attribute scouts look at?” He said “Ballplayers”. Luis Rengifo is a ballplayer. I’m happy he is a Dodger.

    1. There’s going to be a lot of eyes on Verdugo. Boston fans can be real a-holes to players. I hope that doesn’t happen to Verdugo.

      1. I hope he thrives there. I have a feeling he will.

        Vurdugo is a smart player.

        “Wicked smaat”.

    2. Sure hope Jayne is right about Rengifo. I understand the need for salary relief with Joc but if Stripling is in the deal as well this sounds like a questionable trade. Joc and Strip could help win a title this year, while Rengifo is a future prospect and redundant with Kike and Taylor. But best to wait for full details of trade and to hear rationale from AF.

  35. We have no reason to do anything but trust AF’s evaluation of Rengifo. Joc is my son’s favorite player. I thought he would be bummed when I told him Joc was dealt to the Angels. My son’s response was that’s okay. Joc’s brother, Champ, is close to Pujols.

    1. Joc is one of my son’s favorites also. But we go to a few Angel games every year and watch quite a few on TV locally. So he wasn’t too bummed. At least he only moved down the road. His enthusiasm will be missed.

      I think moving Joc and Verdugo removes the log jam in the system for OF. Garlick and Beaty will see more ABs. If Pollock goes down or underperforms it might open up room for DJ Peters. Plus we still have Kike and Taylor who can play solid OF.

      I hate to see Vurdugo and Joc leave. They did add some real spirit to the team. I’m still weary of losing those two for possible only one season of Betts. But the Dodgers are no longer as LH heavy and other players who need more ABs if they are to progress will have that opportunity. So, at least for 2020, the Dodgers have the most frightening lineup in baseball. And more flexibility to give the young guys ABs.

      That said, Joc will be missed.

  36. I liked Verdugo and think if healthy that is a great long term move for the RedSox, especially if Mookie ends up back at Fenway next year.

    A half price Price is fair.

    I liked Joc, and it’s interesting that we have lost two of our most enthusiastic teammates in him and Verdugo.
    If you add the loss of Rich Hill into the equation, then the chemistry might not be the same.

    I’m not totally sure AF is done yet.

    Prepare for the Nolan signing tomorrow. Still got plenty of prospects left.

    Maybe Rengifo might be part of another deal?

    Verdugo’s back would’ve concern me if I was Boston

    1. That’s the bummer about the Astros cheating. Guys like Ethier, Hill, Joc, Ryu, Maeda never won the championship with the Dodgers. They were great Dodgers and they had a tight clubhouse. Joc was probably robbed of an MVP in the World Series.

  37. I haven’t read through all of today’s comments, so maybe this was mentioned. Luis Rengifo sounds similar to Kiki’ and Chris Taylor, so maybe one or two of the three might be part of another deal.

    Whatever the case, I like today’s deal. The Dodgers finally have an impact lead-off bat, the right handed bat they were looking for, more speed, and they’ve lengthened their lineup. They lose Joc’s power, but if he remains healthy, and gets significantly more AB’s, AJ Pollock should pick up some of that power, and perhaps a spot is opened up for another young bat.

  38. Wow, it actually went down! I don’t doubt Friedman or his will to make good moves, but getting a player of Mookie Betts caliber seemed….unlikely. Someone would cave to Boston’s demands and Friedman would exert discipline. I guess nobody swooped in, and Friedman got the deal he liked. I don’t live in LA and listen to local radio from Portland and Dallas, and for years I’ve heard them complain/lament the Dodgers deep pockets. Honestly, it really hasn’t felt that way in the last 5 years. The huge payroll shrinks annually and was largely comprised of former players bad deals. However, THIS is a deal that rightly used our envied deep pockets to our advantage. I love it. Now, just make sure we re-sign him. Kershaw and Price deals will be expired in 3 years, right in time to lock up Bellinger. I think we can float Mookie.

    I figured it would go similarly to the Machado trade, and I think it did. What we didn’t give up in 2nd/3rd tier prospects, we gave up in a solid/versatile veteran pitcher. Hopefully, someone from the pen (Kelly/Treinen or maybe even Price) can be the middle inning guy for us in the playoffs that Maeda was. I really like Verdugo, sad to see him go. Maybe the Dodgers were worried about his long term medical. Giving up Diaz certainly hasn’t haunted them.

    Love Joc Pederson, probably one of my three favorite Dodgers, but I think it makes some sense. This will keep Pollack somewhat happy, until he inevitably gets hurt, and then we’ll just start Taylor/Kiki in his absence. In between, they’ll spell the infield spots. Plus, it basically hands the 2nd base job to Lux, since Kiki/Taylor will be occupied everywhere else. This will force develop him, and with this lineup we can afford to have him work thru his learning curve. Now if Turner retires next year or spends a lot of time on DL, we still have a solid, dangerous outfield with Bellinger on 1st and Muncy at 3rd.

  39. Just a quick run down of our lineup:
    Right handed batters – Betts, Pollack, Smith, Taylor, Kiki
    Left handed batters – Bellinger, Seager, Lux, Muncy
    Switch – Rengifo

    Fixed the overly dominant left handed lineup fairly quickly. At some point this season, would like to see our annual mid season veteran deal for a potent bat near the end of their career. That’s about all I see missing. Maybe it’s just Turner in the end, and someone like Hoese or Rios step up. Wow, this is probably the most excited I’ve been for a season to start in a long time. Still a lot of question marks, but I have reason to feel good about our prospects chances of succeeding as well.

  40. I have to leave for Chicago early this AM. I have to teach a Water Treatment Fundamentals Class to apprentice plumbers at the Plumbers Union Education Center today and tomorrow, so I may not have much time to weigh in on the trades… and there may be more to them (i.e., more players).

    I do have a few takes:

    1. I am bummed to lose Alex Verdugo. He should do very well with the Green Monster.
    2. Andy Pages has a shot at being a very, very good player.
    3. All-in-all, AF got a lot for a little. I was pleased he dis not trade other prospects.
    4. Maybe this will shut up all the fans who say he won’t pull the trigger. The trades were indeed bold!
    5. Price is a roll of the dice… he could be very good or have his arm fall off. It’s a calculated risk.

  41. I was against trading Verdugo in a package for Betts thinking that there would be other prospects included. And for Dodgers to take back Price would surely be a deal breaker for Verdugo unless Boston took another contract like Pollock or Maeda. But Friedman came through BIG TIME. Essentially the Dodgers acquired Betts and Price, plus cash from Boston, for Verdugo and Kenta Maeda. That is a very good deal for the Dodgers, even if Betts turns out to be a rental and the Dodgers only get a compensatory draft pick in 2021 (no doubt Dodgers will make Betts a qualifying offer). Trading Pederson to the Angels to make certain team stays below the CBT threshold is understandable, and the middle infielder who was acquired has a good scouting report, including OF prospect Andy Pages, and a ML starting pitcher (rumored to be Stripling) should net the Dodgers another, very good prospect — likely a pitcher, or outfielder.

  42. A one year rental is not a good thing, unless we win the WS. I guess that is the gamble AF had to make. This will hand the LF job to Pollock. Now we have 4 left hand and 4 right hand bats in the every day line up. This makes me happy. I was not much of a platoon advocate.

    I think AF is done, until August. I hate to see Verdugo go. He is going to be a very good player. I thought we had to give up more for Betts and Price. I think the deal is good for both sides.

    I hope the Pederson deal is just one player for one. I hope Andy Pages is not involved. If Pages is involved, then the Angles may have gotten the best of the deal.

    1. I think there should be at least one more deal with either Kiké Hernandez, or Chris Taylor headed to another team; both will earn close to $6M this season. Rengifo is a ready now utility guy, and now that the team is not overwhelmingly right handed Zach McKinstry can be used in a utility role when / if needed. And Matt Beaty can be an emergency fill-in at multiple spots. Beaty and Rios are also redundant, and either guy is not going to be happy going back to OKC.

  43. Love the trade, with only one slight concern. I understand wanting to be under the CBT and after taking on Betts and Price something had to be done, but I hate losing Stripling who is most likely the ML level SP mentioned in the trade.

    I hope AF gets a really good prospect back from the Angels someone along the lines of Josiah Gray who is ascending rapidly and who, when acquired, we knew little about. Can’t believe AF was able to get Betts and Price for Verdugo and Madea and without giving up prospects. The Dodgers are loaded at the ML level and the minor leagues remain top five in all of baseball. Plenty of capital to use at the deadline for the likes of deGrom, Syndergarrd, etc.

    Indeed AF is playing chess while other GM’s are playing checkers!

  44. Stripling seems like the obvious choice to be traded, but why has that deal not been finalized / announced? Even if the Betts deal falls apart because of medicals, the Dodgers would still have Verdugo, so trading Pederson is not the issue. Andy Pages has been announced as going to the Angels, so what is the hold-up on the pitcher? Could the pitcher be David Price, not Stripling, and he must first pass his physical?

      1. If a player has been told that he has been traded it seems that would have been leaked by now. Probably just wishful thinking that it could be Price instead of Stripling, but that is what I am hoping

  45. This is a heart-broken DBM this morning. Joc was one of my long time favorites from the time he came up to the big club from AAA. Along with his playing skills, I will miss his enthusiasm, great smile, good chemistry with all the players. And now another favorite, Stripling, May be traded also.

    I guess you have to say goodbye to your favorite players sometimes, but it is hard to do and all you can do is wish them well with their new teams. Sure hope this trade is for more than one year.

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