Report: Red Sox, Padres discussed Betts trade involving Myers, prospects
The San Diego Padres have talked to the Boston Red Sox about trading for star outfielder Mookie Betts, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
Discussions between the two clubs focused on San Diego sending outfielder Wil Myers and a significant amount of prospects to Boston in exchange for the 2018 American League MVP, sources told Lin, who adds that a deal is unlikely with Betts expected to start the season with the Red Sox.
Boston would be willing to accept a group of prospects that doesn't include the Padres’ top-five minor leaguers in a trade, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. However, the Red Sox don't want to take on enough of a portion of Myers' contract, which still has $61 million left over the next three years, Acee reports.
Betts is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2020 campaign. The four-time All-Star will make $27 million next season after a record one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player. The 27-year-old is a three-time Silver Slugger and four-time Gold Glover with a career .893 OPS.
Myers, the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year, hit 18 home runs with 53 RBIs across 155 contests in 2019. The former All-Star is just two years removed from a 30-homer campaign in 2017.
The two teams also talked earlier in the offseason about a trade involving Myers and left-hander David Price, but the Padres weren't interested in pursuing the deal, Lin reports.
The Red Sox would reportedly like to attach Price in a trade involving Betts and are looking to get two high-end prospects as the center of the deal. Price still has $96 million left on his pact through 2022.
The Padres also engaged in talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates about outfielder Starling Marte but discussions haven't gone far, sources told Lin.