Can anyone give me an example of an elite prospect (I assume Mookie is at or near that level) being transitioned to a multi-postional player while still in the minors, let alone at the age of 21? I actually do remember Cesar Tovar 50 years ago. A small but very good athlete, who was just a so-so infielder, but who had good enough speed to adapt to the OF. Tony Phillips has been mentioned, but he really just played 2b/ss/3rd in the minors and not really in the elite category as Betts is (or approaching.) Zobrist transitioned to "all-purpose" in his 3rd year in the majors.
Mookie already is making his case to be an everyday MLB 2nd baseman. All he has to do is to continue to demonstrate plate discipline, make solid contact, and, perhaps show that he can handle the better pitching at AAA. The Red Sox primary responsibility is to keep him focused on the current track. He doesn't need to learn to play 2 other positions to make him more versatile in order to find a path to the major leagues. Just because he is blocked by Pedroia, why distract from his focus? (And I won't even go into how a rookie keeps his sh t together while adjusting to playing different positions every day, in a market like Boston. Bogaerts is dealing with scrutiny over his fielding at just one position.)
What is being suggested (ala Zobrist) is different than shifting him to a new position. Maybe he could shift to SS full-time, or if the Sox feel confident that, in spite of his arm, he can be a full-time LF, Although all those options seem doubtful, but those that see him daily may have a different and more valid opinion.
Again, it's not like Betts is some prospect that's a "tweener," and needs versatility to attain a large enough skill-set to reach the majors. Just because he is blocked by Pedroia is not a reason to mess with him. His best and most rapidly attained value to the Sox organization is as a second baseman who hits the ball consistently and hard and runs the bases. If there's no place for him in Boston, then you want to maximize his value for a potential trade. His highest value is to a team that needs a 2nd baseman. Why the discussion about some experiment to make him into something else?
And let's omit the debate about the value of a new kind of deep-depth. Maybe the Sox should try it with a mid-20s player like Zobrist, or when scouting amateurs if they see a kid that doesn't project at any one position but could be of value if they develop his personality. But not with arguably the best prospect in their system. I just think this whole idea is a "make-my-wish" in order to see a prospect that they like stay in the organization.
And has anyone in the Sox organization gone on record that they're good with this idea? Beyond talking up his athleticism, etc?