Former Dodgers Prospect Involved in Mookie Betts Trade Joins Yankees Via Waivers
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Another day, another example of how ludicrous the Mookie Betts trade was.
On Tuesday, the New York Yankees announced they acquired infielder Jeter Downs on a waiver claim from the Washington Nationals. Downs was one of three players the Dodgers sent to the Boston Red Sox to acquire Betts in February 2020. Nearly four years have passed, and it appears the Dodgers made out like bandits in acquiring a franchise player.
The blockbuster trade never materialized much of anything for the Red Sox. Ironically, the trade has done more for the rival Yankees from a player-personnel standpoint.
As a quick refresher, the trade went as follows:
Dodgers receive: Mookie Betts, David Price, and cash
Red Sox receive: Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong
Price became a fairly reliable swingman for the Dodgers in his two years with L.A. Betts finished in the top five in MVP voting in three of the last four years.
Verdugo, for his part, has been a league-average bat while providing fairly good outfield defense. There were rumblings of disharmony between Verdugo and his superiors in Boston. Notably, manager Alex Cora removed Verdugo from the lineup twice due to tardiness and lack of hustle.
Earlier this offseason, the Yankees and Red Sox came together on a trade sending Verdugo to the Bronx for a trio of pitching prospects.
Downs appeared in 14 games for the Red Sox and performed poorly, slashing .154/.171/.427. The Red Sox placed him on waivers after the 2022 season and the Nationals picked him up.
He had a very quick cup of coffee in the nation's capital, appearing in only six games with nine plate appearances. That brings us to the present day, where the Yankees claimed Downs off waivers.
The former top prospect will have a chance to live up to his talent with the Yankees. At only 25 years old, Downs could play himself into a bench role, providing some infield depth.
While Downs' future still remains unclear, one thing is for certain: The Dodgers unquestionably won the Mookie Betts trade.
