MLBPA urges immediate resolution to stalled Betts blockbuster
Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark is calling for an immediate resolution to the stalled three-team trade that is reportedly sending Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The proposed deal also involves the Minnesota Twins and has a ripple effect on the Los Angeles Angels.
"The proposed trades between the Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels need to be resolved without further delay," Clark said in a statement. "The events of this last week have unfairly put several players' lives in a state of limbo. The unethical leaking of medical information as well as the perversion of the salary arbitration process serve as continued reminders that too often players are treated as commodities by those running the game."
The Angels reportedly agreed to a trade with the Dodgers for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling, but it's dependent on the completion of the other blockbuster. The delay has apparently left the Angels' owner frustrated.
Hear Angels owner Arte Moreno hasn’t been happy about having their big trade for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling with the cross-freeway Dodgers on hold while the Mookie Betts mega deal is in limbo. Not sure who his ire is aimed at but people in the know say he’s quite upset.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020
The hold-up has apparently been tied to the medical review of reliever Brusdar Graterol. The Red Sox are reportedly seeking an additional top-10 prospect from the Twins in the deal, but Minnesota has rejected the request so far, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
However, agent Scott Boras rejected the notion that Graterol has any significant health concerns. He said Graterol threw "without limitation" after hitting the majors last fall, according to Heyman.
"They're relying on a cursory medical record review yet noted orthopedic doctors who saw him say there's no issue going forward," Boras said.
The trade was first reported on Tuesday, and there is now a chance that it doesn't happen.