With Dave Dombrowski out as the Red Sox President of Baseball Operations, how will that change Mookie Betts' contract negotiations?
Betts will be a free agent after the 2020 season and will most likely command a record-breaking contract. Betts has expressed multiple times how he loves playing in Boston, but until the deal gets done none of that talk matters.
After hearing the news of Dombrowski's firing, Betts was asked if Boston's new leadership in the front office would have an impact on his contract negotiations.
"It doesn't really matter who's there, it's going to be the same answer," Betts told Chris Mason of the Eagle-Tribune. "Nothing's gonna change. This is proof that this is a business. Like I said, I love it here but definitely this is still a business."
Dombrowski didn't leave the Red Sox farm system in the best shape, and they don't have a lot of money to work with Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez all on large contracts for years to come. Martinez has an opt-out in his contract after this season, so if Boston brings him back it would assumingly be at a big number.
The Red Sox need to decide whether they're going to give Betts a huge payday, let him test free agency or trade him so they don't lose him for nothing. Dombrowski was the man in position to make that call, but now it'll be in someone else's hands.
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At least Betts hasn't changed his stance on the subject.
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