After winning the World Series in 2018, the Red Sox missed the playoffs in 2019 due to inconsistency and injuries. Wanting to get under the luxury tax and avoid losing him for nothing in free agency, the Red Sox shipped out the face of the franchise Mookie Betts as well as veteran David Price to the Dodgers. In return, the Red Sox received a promising young talent in Alex Verdugo, an intriguing prospect in Jeter Downs, and salary relief.
Without Mookie, Boston will struggle to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive AL.