Red Sox Agree To Mookie Betts, David Price Trade: Reports

The Red Sox have reportedly agreed to trade former American League MVP Mookie Betts and former American League Cy Young winner David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's an expected but uncharacteristic move that signals the team's desperation to get under the luxury tax, and resignation to the fact that Betts didn't want to continue his career in Boston.

The trade also involves the Minnesota Twins, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported. The deal is pending medical reviews.

The Red Sox are getting back three minor leaguers: Outfielder Alex Verdugo, pitcher Brusdar Graterol and another unidentified prospect from the Twins, according to The Boston Globe's Alex Speier.

The move is almost purely a salary dump for Boston to get under the $208 million luxury tax threshold.

Betts, 27, is one of baseball's all-around stars. He is set to be a free agent after the season, when he is likely to command a historic payday.

The 2018 MVP made the All-Star team each of the last four seasons, hitting .305 with 116 home runs and 375 RBIs in that time. He also stole 98 bases and earned four Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers, cementing his status as a five-tool player.

Price, 34, is owed $96 million over the next three seasons. He was one of the team's top players when they won the 2018 World Series, but never shook a sour relationship with Boston fans.

Betts, who came up as a diminutive second baseman who turned into a right fielder with one of the loudest bats on the team, is expected to demand a contract that could be second to only Angels superstar Mike Trout as the highest in the history of the game among position players. That was unlikely to come from the Red Sox.

There have also long been whispers that Betts was not particularly keen on extending his career in Boston, perhaps forcing the team's hand in cashing in on the star before he left for nothing after the season. The team could have waited until the trade deadline to see if they had a contender this season, but they would lose trade leverage each passing day.