The Red Sox and Mookie Betts went to arbitration in the right fielder’s first year of eligibility. Betts won and will make $10.5 million in 2018. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s happy about it.
Ask him, though, and he’s not as upset with the front office as you may believe.
“Just seeing that side of it is pretty interesting,” Betts told reporters in Fort Myers on Thursday, via the Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato. “I like those type of things, kind of see how people debate. There were no hard feelings, nothing wrong. I love these guys. Nothing changed. I’m just going to continue to go out and play and have my same relationship that I always have.”
No Hard Feelings?
Mookie Betts (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
As per Mastrodonato’s report, Betts refused to accept a new deal with the Red Sox last season on principle. He played for $950,000 instead, and vastly out-produced that value. Though he took a step back from his near-MVP campaign in 2016, Betts still finished with a solid 24 home runs, 102 RBIs, and .803 OPS. He also earned his second straight All-Star nod and won his second straight Gold Glove award.
Betts obviously wants to be paid what he’s worth – closer to $25-30 million per year than $10.5 million. And he may not care if that deal comes from Boston. But for now, Betts is happy and looking forward to 2018 without talking contract.
“Yeah, I’m happy with it,” said Betts. “That’s just the business of it, of this game. I think I’m just going to worry about 2018 right now and just kind of focus on that and bringing back a World Series this year.”
Will Betts Stay?
It’s clear that the Red Sox aren’t making offers commensurate to what Betts is looking for in an extension. That doesn’t necessarily mean Betts would rather play elsewhere if and when he finally hits free agency after the 2020 season. But he and the team still have two years to work out a deal.
It just won’t happen during this season.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.