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FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: The Mookie Betts trade finally happened, and it was to the Dodgers as we expected, but with a few twists. The Red Sox were able to get the Dodgers to swallow the David Price deal, and they were able to pull a Twins prospect in Brusdar Graterol by getting LA to send Kenta Maeda to Minnesota. And, as expected, Boston acquired Alex Verdugo. In a completely separate trade, the Angels acquired Joc Pederson for Luis Rengifo. This was an incredibly great deal for the Dodgers, who had to part with a top prospect but in exchange for a good starting pitcher and the second best player in the sport, adding to a lineup that could win 110+ this year.
Baseball Prospectus | Matthew Trueblood ($): The Padres were also in on this deal... could they have topped the Dodgers’ offer? It’s possible, but they probably would have had to part with, at least, Taylor Trammel and Chris Paddack, and this doesn’t answer the question of whether they’d be willing to eat, say, Price’s deal. So it means the Padres don’t get their ideal offseason, but they’re still in a great position with a lot of young talent.
The Ringer | Michael Baumann: It has been a century since the Red Sox traded their best super star for a salary dump, and it isn’t any less disappointing today. Boston did not need to be under the luxury tax to win—they paid just $12 million in penalties the year they won the World Series—but they made it a priority to the point where they were willing to be a significantly diminished squad to save a few bucks, just as Fenway Park prices are set to rise once again.