A WCVB Editorial
Editorial: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020: Sox losing Betts
Usually Major League Baseball's spring training brings hope of a new beginning, but this year it follows what has truly been "the winter of our discontent" for Red Sox fans.
The new year had barely begun when extremely popular Sox manager Alex Cora was forced to resign for of his central role in baseball's still-unfolding sign-stealing scandal. Then, just before Valentine's Day, the team broke fans' hearts when it traded superstar right fielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price to the Dodgers. Betts, along with Ted Williams, is generally regarded as one of the two best position players the team has ever developed. Betts is the complete package, on and off the field, and should have been face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Receiving limited value in return, the Red Sox effectively traded a Maserati for a minivan -- which is still in the shop.
A terrible trade aside, perhaps what's been most galling is the striking lack of candor from team owner John Henry. Back in September, Henry clearly stated that the team intended to bring its payroll -- baseball's highest -- under the luxury tax penalty. The Betts/Price trade fulfilled that promise. In recent weeks -- and after Red Sox nation loudly protested the gift-wrapped trade to Los Angeles -- Henry now portrays the money issue as a "media-driven narrative." What an odd and unattractive message from a man who presumably also takes pride in owning one of the nation's most respected newspapers.
John Henry deserves real and lasting credit for the success he has created with the Red Sox -- not just the titles, but the important work he's done to improve ties to the city's diverse communities and revitalization of Fenway. A possible mulligan looms for the beleaguered owner, as Mookie Betts will be a free agent after this season. Maybe the next title Henry should pursue is putting "Red Sox right fielder" in front of Betts' name once again.
Editorial: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020: Sox losing Betts
Usually Major League Baseball's spring training brings hope of a new beginning, but this year it follows what has truly been "the winter of our discontent" for Red Sox fans.
The new year had barely begun when extremely popular Sox manager Alex Cora was forced to resign for of his central role in baseball's still-unfolding sign-stealing scandal. Then, just before Valentine's Day, the team broke fans' hearts when it traded superstar right fielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price to the Dodgers. Betts, along with Ted Williams, is generally regarded as one of the two best position players the team has ever developed. Betts is the complete package, on and off the field, and should have been face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Receiving limited value in return, the Red Sox effectively traded a Maserati for a minivan -- which is still in the shop.
A terrible trade aside, perhaps what's been most galling is the striking lack of candor from team owner John Henry. Back in September, Henry clearly stated that the team intended to bring its payroll -- baseball's highest -- under the luxury tax penalty. The Betts/Price trade fulfilled that promise. In recent weeks -- and after Red Sox nation loudly protested the gift-wrapped trade to Los Angeles -- Henry now portrays the money issue as a "media-driven narrative." What an odd and unattractive message from a man who presumably also takes pride in owning one of the nation's most respected newspapers.
John Henry deserves real and lasting credit for the success he has created with the Red Sox -- not just the titles, but the important work he's done to improve ties to the city's diverse communities and revitalization of Fenway. A possible mulligan looms for the beleaguered owner, as Mookie Betts will be a free agent after this season. Maybe the next title Henry should pursue is putting "Red Sox right fielder" in front of Betts' name once again.
