Roberts discusses Betts' future: 'He loves being a Dodger'

The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster trade in February, acquiring Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox in a five-player deal, but there's a chance the star outfielder never plays a game for the team with the 2020 season in jeopardy due to the coronavirus outbreak.

For his part, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't appear fazed by the possibility during a recent interview.

"If that situation is presented, it's presented," Roberts said on "The Sedano Show." "Both sides have agreed that the players don't lose service time, so for Mookie, personally that's great for him. For the Dodgers, for the fans, to lose baseball for '20 would be disappointing and then now you'd have to go into the winter to see what decision Mookie decides."

Betts is scheduled to enter free agency for the first time next offseason and is expected to request a hefty contract in the process.

The Dodgers might be one of the teams that can afford him, and Roberts sounded optimistic about the impression he and his team have made on the 27-year-old so far.

"I think him being in spring training with us - the relationship I have with him, personally, and I think some players, too, and coaches, it feels like he's already played a season with us," the manager said.

"Mookie's gotta do what's best for him and his family once that time does present itself, but I know that he loves being a Dodger."

Before baseball went on hiatus, Betts appeared in just eight spring games with his new team, which traded away Alex Verdugo and two prospects to acquire him and pitcher David Price.

Betts fashioned a .301/.374/.519 slash line across six seasons with the Red Sox, which included four All-Star appearances and four Gold Gloves.