The blindspot most people have on this topic, in my view, is that Mookie wanted to be in southern California — or at least a different kind of city — for non-baseball reasons, and it was and remains in neither party’s interests to say so.
"100% correct" despite Mookie saying the exact opposite:This sadly, unfortunately is 100% correct. Why would Betts say anything at all that would likely be spun to sound like he hated Boston? Once you're making an insane amount of money... the millions of different dollars is much less difference than in living in a place where you'd much rather like to be. The guy clearly wanted to play in LA and I don't think offering him $5M more per year than Trout would have made a difference. They extracted what they could have... just wish it was a little more, but them taking Price also lowered what Bloom was going to be able to get.
CBS: Ex-Red Sox Mookie Betts says he 'wanted to stay in Boston' for entire career, but worthy offer 'didn't happen'"Even though I wasn't really ready for (the trade to the Dodgers) -- I know people don't believe me but I wanted to stay in Boston my whole career," Betts told former teammate Brock Holt during his appearance, according to MassLive. "That was my life. I knew everybody there. it was a short flight to Nashville. It was perfect."
Holt asked Betts if he would've signed a long-term deal with the Red Sox for $365 million -- or, the same amount he agreed to as part of a 12-year contract with the Dodgers. Betts answered in the affirmative, but reiterated that offer "didn't happen."
Sox blew it. The ramifications have been damning and deserved. The amount of water carrying for FSG is ridiculous. Talk about a blindspot.