Crazy hypothetical NYY/BOS trade

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
70,743
So in all my years here, I've never broached the idea of an impact player trade between BOS/NYY, for obvious reasons. But after reading countless posts on the main board about the decisions BOS faces going forward and knowing NY's issues and remembering that Dombrowski and Cashman have a history of dealing, this trade occurred to me and I thought I'd at least run it by people here and see what they thought. 
 
Mookie Betts for Greg Bird, Jacob Lindgren and Bryan Mitchell
 
Problems this solves (BOS): It frees up CF fulltime for Jackie Bradley Jr, gives BOS a young cost-controlled 1B and immediately goes a long way towards fixing the pen, with pre-arb impact arms, one LHP and one RHP. 
 
Problems this solves (NY): Mookie would become the starting 2B, a major upgrade, as well as being able to fill in if Ellsbury or Gardner gets hurt. 
 
Issues it creates (BOS): It would leave Hanley and his stellar D in LF, presumably with De Aza or someone like that behind him. 
 
Issues it creates (NY): No 1B successor behind Tex again, and it thins out the strong bullpen, but hopefully guys like Rumbelow and others could step up into the void.
 
===================================================================================
 
Lindgren has less value to NY than to maybe any other team, with three very good lefty relievers ahead of him (Miller. Wilson, Shreve). None of these were around when NY drafted Lindgren in summer 2014, not sure he would have been picked so high if they had been. 
 
Similarly, Betts has less value to BOS than to most other teams, with Pedroia blocking him at 2B and Bradley being a clearly better defender in CF and maybe turning the corner at the plate. 
 
What do people think? it would be really ballsy by both GMs to trade guys who are cost-controlled for many years to their arch-rivals, guys who could easily haunt you for quite a few years going forward. I feel like it might make sense for both teams, though, or at least it's worth discussing. 
 

WenZink

New Member
Apr 23, 2010
1,078
No to the trade, because at best(for Boston) it would be receiving two dimes and a nickel back for a quarter.
 
I agree that Betts has less value to Boston than to other teams, but if Betts is traded, I would hope he would be the key piece in getting Sonny Gray or some other top, cost-controlled pitcher.  The Sox desperately need a #1 at the top of their rotation.  They can mix and match and fill for a year or two until they see who's ready in the system, but they can't survive without an Ace.
 

Sandy Leon Trotsky

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 11, 2007
6,348
Stop stop stop with any of these Castillo/Betts/JBJ trades.   Those guys in the outfield together are a rare talent and will be the best trio for the next 5 season together.  Red Sox can fix their only problem by signing Price and dealing a Brian Johnson and a few other mL pieces for some quality BP help.  And no, we're never trading to make the Yankees a better team long term if we can help it.... you don't trade a future Andrew McCutchen away.  
 

WenZink

New Member
Apr 23, 2010
1,078
Trotsky said:
Stop stop stop with any of these Castillo/Betts/JBJ trades.   Those guys in the outfield together are a rare talent and will be the best trio for the next 5 season together.  Red Sox can fix their only problem by signing Price and dealing a Brian Johnson and a few other mL pieces for some quality BP help.  And no, we're never trading to make the Yankees a better team long term if we can help it.... you don't trade a future Andrew McCutchen away.  
 
Yeah, great idea.  Let's pay 30 year old David Price 200mil/7yrs, (and put the Sox in the 50% luxury tax limit forever) just so you can watch Mookie Betts be wasted by playing LF in Fenway.  
 

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
A few issues for me:
  • If Betts is to be traded, it'll have to be for a young, top of the rotation type starter. Will NYY part with Severino or Eovaldi? No? Then the trade is dead even before it starts
  • There are still doubts as to JBJ being a full-time CF AND at least an average hitter, given his recent turnaround
  • Sox may already have a young, cost-controlled 1B in Shaw
  • Repeating myself, but just can't see Betts, who may well be on his way to becoming a top-5 CF in the game, be traded for relievers 
  • The "logjam" may not be one when/if HanRam is gone from the 2016 roster, or moved to 1B/DH
  • Even in 2015, Lovullo has done a good job rotating between JBJ/Castillo/Betts/Ramirez
  • Ramirez is not only the worst LF in the majors, he is not a sure bet to play 100+ while toiling the outfield
Just a few thoughts, JA.
 

flymrfreakjar

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 30, 2006
2,915
Brooklyn
WenZink said:
 
Yeah, great idea.  Let's pay 30 year old David Price 200mil/7yrs, (and put the Sox in the 50% luxury tax limit forever) just so you can watch Mookie Betts be wasted by playing LF in Fenway.  
 
Personally, I think RF is the most demanding OF position to play at Fenway, and wouldn't be shocked to see them put JBJ there while at home, and keep Mookie in center. Rusney appears to have a very strong arm, he could be a terrific LF in Fenway turning doubles into long singles and tallying assists at home from short left. 
 

mt8thsw9th

anti-SoSHal
SoSH Member
Jul 17, 2005
17,120
Brooklyn
So a likely star CF/2B for a middling 1B prospect (for a team that has their own already in Travis Shaw) and two middle relievers. How about throw in Refsnyder and Justin Wilson for Bogaerts, too? Maybe three more relievers for Swihart as well? After all, Vazquez should be back next year.
 

Hank Scorpio

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 1, 2013
6,923
Salem, NH
I'd give Hanley his flat out release to open up a spot in the outfield before I'd trade Mookie Betts to the Yankees.
 
And we don't even really have to do that. If Hanley can't play 1B, then I'd be fine with him being a part-timer/platoon-player/pinch-hitter from 2016 until whenever David Ortiz retires and frees up DH.
 

MillarTime

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
1,338
Agreed. The chances of the Sox trading Mookie to the Yankee only to have him torment them for the next 5 or more years is 0.0%. 
 

billy ashley

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,228
Washington DC
Mookie Betts is 22 years old and has played 161 games.
 
During those games he's posted a .277/.334/.441 line with 16 homers, 24 steals and really good defense at CF and 2B. There's a very good chance Betts will be a star. If he remains what he is, he's already a damn good center fielder. Possibly 1 of the 5 best in the game.
 
Bird is a nice prospect and very possibly a first division starter at 1b. He's also only a month younger than Betts. He's got a high floor in that we can be reasonably confident that he'll have a major league career, but his upside is fairly limited. 
 
Bryan Mitchell is a 24 year old reliever with 20+ good innings in the majors this year. He's been a starter in the past with mixed results. If he sticks as a starter he profiles as a 3 or 4 but he's more likely a late inning reliever.  
 
Jacob Lingren is an interesting arm who has never managed to not walk the world. He could be an impact closer, or he could be just another guy with a great arm and zero control. He's also absolutely a reliever (unlike Mitchell).
 
From Boston's perceptive this trade makes little sense. You don't trade a 22 year old coming off Betts season for a pretty good prospect and 2 interesting arms. I don't see how Mitchell offers any more upside than guys Boston already has in Henry Owens, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brian Johnson. In fact, I don't think he's that much more interesting than Matt Barnes.
 
Betts shouldn't be untouchable, but this kind of a deal would cause me to flip over furniture.  
 

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
70,743
Well, with Hanley taking grounders at first today, that would clear up Boston's issues quite a bit if he can really play there.
 
I didn't expect anyone to think this was a good idea, but it will be interesting to revisit this thread in a few years. 
 

billy ashley

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,228
Washington DC
jon abbey said:
Well, with Hanley taking grounders at first today, that would clear up Boston's issues quite a bit if he can really play there.
 
I didn't expect anyone to think this was a good idea, but it will be interesting to revisit this thread in a few years. 
 
No snark intended, but what kind of a package would you be asking for 2015 Brett Gardner if he were 22 years old and cost controlled. Because at present time, that's pretty much what Mookie Betts is in terms of value (though they get there slightly different ways).
 
I think you're undervaluing Betts to a degree, or possibly overvaluing the degree that the "OF Log jam" diminishes his value in Boston. There's a very good chance that Jackie Badley is exactly who he's always been projected to be, a great fielder who is okay with the bat. There's also a very real possibility that he really hasn't figured it out and should be a 4rth OF. 
 

FanSinceBoggs

seantwo
SoSH Member
Jan 12, 2009
937
New York
Take out Bird and put in Severino and the deal becomes more interesting (and appealing) for the Red Sox.  I don't want to trade Betts for a first baseman.  If I trade Betts, I want a young and high upside SP. 
 

Sampo Gida

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 7, 2010
5,044
How about this safe one, Owens for Warren and Mitchell.
 
I know the Yankees will never trade Bird, Severino or Judge.  But if we want to be crazy, Pedroia, Owens and Moncada for  Severino,  Bird, Warren.  Not sure if Pedeys limited no trade protection includes the Yankees, not that the Red Sox would part with him.
 
Betts can move to 2B, allowing the Red Sox to make a play for Gordon or Heyward as a FA OFer, and Severino gives them the potential cost controlled ace (Owens is more a 2 or 3) . Pedroia fills the Yankees need for a 2Bman.  Owens is more valuable in YS3 although Severino is the better pitcher, but Severino has perhaps more an injury risk due to mechanics and how hard he throws.   Yankees don't seem to have any need or use for Warren, and we do.  Moncada is the real prize for the Yankees to get them to part with Severino and Bird, and his timeline is more 2018 which is when the Yankees will be free of a bunch of bad contracts and can go for it.   Bird is blocked until 2017.
 
Never happen, all in fun 
 

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
70,743
(This thread is from 2015 in case anyone doesn't notice, just thought it would be funny to bump on MookieVP Day.)
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
  • If Betts is to be traded, it'll have to be for a young, top of the rotation type starter. Will NYY part with Severino or Eovaldi? No? Then the trade is dead even before it starts
Ha. Nicely done.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,567
Why would the Red Sox trade Mookie for a basketball player, a hockey player, and a punt returner?
 

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
70,743
I'm sure you didn't expect all three players to be useless turds but yeah.
I honestly thought at the time that it was roughly fair and would help both teams, but clearly I underestimated Mookie quite a bit, not that I was the only one.
 

sean1562

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 17, 2011
3,620
(This thread is from 2015 in case anyone doesn't notice, just thought it would be funny to bump on MookieVP Day.)
I read the first post, saw that you posted it, and had no idea what was going on haha. Definitely good to revisit these threads sometimes, I dont even remember who Jacob Lindgren is.
 

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
70,743
I read the first post, saw that you posted it, and had no idea what was going on haha. Definitely good to revisit these threads sometimes, I dont even remember who Jacob Lindgren is.
A 2014 draft pick reliever who was very advanced and actually made it to the majors by the following May, but who has had Tommy John surgery twice since then (eek) and was just dropped off the Braves 40 man roster, a FA currently.

Interestingly (?) Lindgren was a setup man at Mississippi State but a more touted prospect and higher pick than teammate/closer Jonathan Holder, who NY also took in the 2014 draft and who took a bit longer to blossom but who was fantastic this year outside of a few truly putrid games (the one in Fenway as much of a meltdown as you will ever see from anyone), seemingly a very solid 5th/6th bullpen option.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,770
Pittsburgh, PA
I'd give Hanley his flat out release to open up a spot in the outfield before I'd trade Mookie Betts to the Yankees.
When Hank is right, he's often spooky-right.

I suspect most of our trade-proposal threads over the years would look this bad or worse, if thread necromancy were to be performed. But consider all the names dropped here:

- Sale
- Eovaldi
- Price
- Gordon Heyward (see post 15)
- Castillo being a "rare outfield talent"

There's just so much to love.
 

DeadlySplitter

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 20, 2015
33,260
Castillo is indeed a rare talent. So rare, he's getting paid eight figures to toil in the minor leagues and not count against our soft cap.

(also known as... buyer beware on overhyped international FAs)