If the Boston Red Sox ever want to lock up Mookie Betts long term, David Ortiz believes it will cost them a pretty penny.
The Red Sox designated hitter apparently paid close attention to the free-agent contracts being handed out this offseason, leading him to pull Betts aside to tell the outfielder he’ll probably be worth a lot of money someday. In fact, Ortiz believes the 23-year-old outfielder will be worth $250 million.
“He’s going to be one of the best players in the American League,” Ortiz told ESPN’s Buster Olney this week.
Ortiz and Red Sox hitting coach Chili Davis have talked in the past about how Betts pesters them with questions about his hitting, but what really strikes Ortiz is how quickly (and successfully) Betts makes those adjustments. An amazed Ortiz told Olney that if he gives Betts advice, he’ll see him use it in “the next at-bat.”
Betts is under the Red Sox’s control until 2020, so it’ll be a while before any team can give him a blockbuster offer. But it won’t be surprising if Ortiz is right once Betts’ 28-year-old season rolls around.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
