Red Sox trade Mookie Betts to Dodgers: Grading the deal and breaking down Boston’s new prospects | Scouting r - NJ.com

The rumors have become reality.

With the dust settling on the blockbuster deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price out of Boston in exchange for 23-year-old outfielder Alex Verdugo and right-handed pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, let’s grade the deal for the Yankees rival and take a look at both players Boston got back in return.

Grade: C

Reason: The mark is only this high because Boston’s ownership, and by extension its front office, accomplished its goal: Get under the luxury tax. The Red Sox aren’t interested in winning a World Series in 2020, and clearly didn’t simply seek the best possible young talent for one year of control of Betts. By attaching Price’s massive deal (or at least the amount the Dodgers will end up paying), Boston settled here in its prospect return.

Now let’s breakdown the return.

Verdugo

Age: 23

2019 stats: .292/.342/.475, 3.1 WAR

How he’ll fit in Boston: The former four-time top-100 prospect in the game is a plug-and-play everyday outfielder, filling Betts’ shoes in the outfield for the Red Sox. As a left-handed hitter, Verdugo has emerging power and could become a 20-plus home run hitter and a doubles machine at Fenway Park. Verdugo won’t be arbitration eligible until after 2022 and can’t hit free agency until 2025.

Graterol

Age: 21

2019 stats: 61 IP, 1.92 ERA, 2.65 SO/BB across three minor league levels

How he’ll fit in Boston: The hard-throwing righty has been both a starter and reliever in the minors, but excelled in a relief role last year. That earned a call-up to the Minnesota Twins bullpen. There’s future closer stuff here.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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2020-02-05 11:00:00Z
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