The massive trade sending Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers still hadn’t been completed as of Friday morning.
Which raises the question: Why not?
Well, the Red Sox reportedly are slated to receive outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Dodgers and pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol from the Minnesota Twins as part of the three-team blockbuster, but Boston reportedly has concerns after reviewing Graterol’s medical records. Graterol, 21, already has undergone Tommy John surgery and dealt with a shoulder issue in 2019, and many evaluators view the big right-hander as a reliever rather than a starter in the long run.
Which brings us to the next question: What can — and will — be done to rectify this situation?
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday, citing sources, the players or amount of the money the Red Sox are sending the Dodgers to cover part of the three years and $96 million remaining on Price’s contract could be amended, or Boston and Los Angeles theoretically could opt for a two-team trade or involve a third team other than Minnesota. The Twins reportedly are to receive veteran pitcher Kenta Maeda as part of the original deal.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, who reported Thursday the Red Sox now might ask for an additional player and/or money to complete the trade, noted one alternative would be for the Dodgers to acquire a prospect from another club, presumably to flip to Boston. Sources told Rosenthal talks between the Red Sox and Twins regarding Graterol’s value are “going slowly,” suggesting a resolution might not be imminent.
Talks between #MNTwins and #RedSox to resolve differences over value of right-hander Brusdar Graterol going slowly, sources tell The Athletic. One alternative is for #Dodgers to acquire prospect from another club to help bridge gap. Story from earlier: https://t.co/ZtX8TdUGJ7
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 7, 2020
Meanwhile, here’s what The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier wrote Thursday night about the holdup:
Initially, the Sox seemed to seek an additional prospect, but it’s possible the Sox could seek a different player (or players) to replace Graterol in the deal. As of Thursday night, the matter of the back end of the deal — specifically, the status of Graterol — was viewed as a matter between the Red Sox and Twins.
If the Twins and Red Sox can’t find common ground about how to respond to Boston’s medical concerns about Graterol, it’s possible the Sox and Dodgers could replace Graterol in the deal through direct negotiations, or that the teams could cut out the Twins and seek a different third team to round out the deal. Despite what one major league source characterized as the “moving parts” of the deal, sources from the Red Sox and Dodgers still believe that the framework of the trade isn’t in jeopardy.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman chimed in Friday morning by reporting talks between at least the Red Sox and Twins will continue throughout the day. According to Heyman, the Red Sox are believed to be looking for another prospect in addition to Graterol.
Talks will continue today between at least the Red Sox and Twins. But while there’s obvious urgency here and all 3 teams are motivated to complete the Mookie mega deal, movement has been slow. Boston is niw believed looking for a 2nd top prospect in addition to Graterol.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020
Nothing so far suggests the reported trade ultimately will fall through, only that the agreed-upon trade could be tweaked in light of the Red Sox’s reported concerns over Graterol’s health. Still, it’s interesting to hear Boston might be eyeing an additional prospect, although it’s unclear whether that prospect would come from Los Angeles, Minnesota or another organization and whether that pot sweetener would do much to move the needle.
UPDATE (Friday, 1:25 p.m. ET): Here’s another pair of updates from Heyman:
There’s been a lot of back and forth between Red Sox and Twins to try to wrap up the Mookie mega deal. And just in case, the Red Sox and Dodgers are also looking at ways to do deal without the Twins, either directly or by using a different 3rd team.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020
Red Sox are still seeking a top-10 #MNTwins prospect in addition to Graterol. Thus far, Twins are saying no. #Mookie
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020
Stay tuned.
