Report: Betts, Red Sox settle on $20M for 2019

by
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Boston Red Sox and reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts settled on a $20-million salary for 2019 on Friday, avoiding arbitration, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Betts' $20-million salary is a record for a second-year arbitration-eligible player. It's a $9.5-million raise for the 26-year-old outfielder, who earned $10.5 million last season.

Betts is coming off a career year for the World Series champions. He led the AL in batting average (.346), runs (129), and slugging percentage (.640).

Advertisement