Dodgers Sign Mookie Betts to Enormous 12 Year Deal

As part of their efforts to finally get over the hump and win a World Series for the first time since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a trade over the winter with the Boston Red Sox for 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts. Betts was entering the final year of his contract, so the question that came up was if the Dodgers were in a win it now mode and didn’t plan on signing Betts after 2020 or if he was part of a long term plan as well.

The Dodgers put to rest any idea that the 27 year old Betts was a one year rental by signing him to a 12 year $365 million contract on July 22nd. Much like another Los Angeles outfielder, Mike Trout of the Angels, Betts can do it all. He can hit for both power and average, has great speed, and scores lots of runs. In his MVP season, Betts led the majors in batting average (.340), slugging percentage (.640) and runs scored (129). He had 80 RBIs, 32 home runs, and 30 stolen bases. That 30 homers and 30 stolen bases thing is considered one of the bench marks of a great combination of power and speed. And he can play defense as well; Betts has won four consecutive Gold Glove awards.

Here’s Betts in action for the Red Sox back on September 4th, 2019, against the Minnesota Twins. Betts hit a pair of homers and drove in five runs with four hits in the game.

The Dodgers open the Covid-19 shortened season at home on July 23rd, in the first of a four game set with the San Francisco Giants.