"They let great walk out" - Broadcaster claims Red Sox trading Mookie Betts to Dodgers echoes infamous Babe Ruth trade to the Yankees
In February 2020, the Boston Red Sox parted ways with Mookie Betts, sending the slugger to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In exchange, they received Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs.
Many people were not in favor of the trade at the time and are even more against it now. Verdugo now plays for the New York Yankees, and Downs plays for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon League.
According to Fox Sports broadcaster Colin Cowherd, this will go down as a terrible move for Boston, just like when they sent Babe Ruth to the Bronx bombers. With Betts coming back from injury on fire, Cowherd talked about the terrible trade on his show, "The Herd.
"The two worst trades in Major League Baseball history both belong to the Boston Red Sox. They gave up Babe Ruth and they gave up Mookie Betts," said Cowherd.
Cowherd believes Boston is responsible for two of the worst trades the big leagues have seen, and he has a point. Just look at the success Betts is having in LA right now.
"He can play anything. Last night, right field , shortstop, played second base, probably can pitch, played catcher. The smile, he's great in the locker room, he's a leader, he can run, any defensive position, most well-liked guy in the clubhouse, he can hit for power, and the Red Sox let him go. They let great walk out of the building," said Cowherd.
It is not just what Betts does on the field, but the vibes he brings to the clubhouse. Boston certainly lost a great one and did not get much in return.
Mookie Betts looked great in his first game back with the Dodgers
Mookie Betts returned from his near-two-month injury stint and looked fantastic. He was able to take Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta deep on Monday alongside an RBI and a stolen base.
He was vital in LA's 5-2 win over Milwaukee. The victory raised their record to 70-49 keeping them ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres in the National League West.
Betts will look to lead this team the rest of the way out. They have huge expectations not only for this season but for years to come. The Dodgers will need Betts healthy and in the lineup if they want to live up to them.