If your argument is the Dodgers will not be a signiicantly better team with Mookie Betts, arguably the 2nd player in baseball, we totaly disagree.I don't think the Dodgers odds of winning the World Series increases significantly with Betts and Price next year. I'm not sure the Dodgers really want Price, even subsidized. That seems like the cost of doing business to get one year of Mookie. Roll with Verdugo and see what happens. If they fall short again, any anger from fans will be mollified by going hard after Mookie next off season.
I mean, you even say "lose the trade, but win the war". Why do the Dodgers need to add more and lose the trade when they already have a great team and there are no guarantees in the post season anyway?
And if the Dodgers didn't think they would be a much better team with this trade, they probably would not have negotiated it.
They knew a 2nd quality prospect was needed for them to do the deal, and it now appears up to them to provide that 2nd prospect.
And they may pass, but IMO it would be very short-sighted.
Again I'll ask you the question, that you did not answer, but rather posed about the LADS.
Why did a 103 win Yankee team add Cole?
You were already projected to be the best team in the AL?
I would suggest they wanted to add some margin and win a WS.
I suggest the LADs might answer in the same manner.