{"id":18153,"date":"2019-03-26T08:40:16","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T12:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=18153"},"modified":"2019-03-26T08:40:16","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T12:40:16","slug":"future-mookie-betts-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/03\/26\/future-mookie-betts-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"How This Off-season Will Shape Mookie Betts’ Future Contract"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier in the off-season, the Boston Red Sox and Mookie Betts<\/a> agreed\u00a0to a deal through arbitration for the second consecutive year. This came during a winter which saw Major League Baseball’s top position players, such as Mike Trout<\/a>, Bryce Harper,<\/a> and Manny Machado<\/a> get paid. For any avid follower of MLB over the past few seasons, it would be obvious to include the 2019 AL MVP in that category of the highest caliber of players in the game. Therefore, he should command a contract in the same ballpark as these other superstars.<\/p>\n

Future Mookie Betts Contract<\/h1>\n

Now, Betts’ long-term deal was always going to be a big one. His impact since coming up to the majors in 2014 has been incredible. Betts has grown into the role of Red Sox superstar and has thrived doing so. This winter’s arbitration will see Betts earn $20 million over the upcoming season. However, everybody knows it should be more. It will be more eventually, but it should already be more.<\/p>\n

This comes after a season which saw Betts lead his Red Sox to a ninth World Series title in franchise history. He was the standout player in MLB, capturing his first ever MVP award, as well as his second Silver Slugger and third Gold Glove. Betts is the complete player in modern baseball and this free agency period could propel his deal next year even higher.<\/p>\n

In an off-season which left a lot of fans waiting for any action, Machado became the first huge name to sign his free-agency deal. The infielder signed a 10-year, $300 million<\/a> deal with the San Diego Padres<\/a>. Harper left Washington for an NL East rival in the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a>, signing a 13-year, $330 million <\/a>contract. Trout, of the Los Angeles <\/a>Angels, was the only one of the three who was not a free agent. This did not stop him from getting paid. His Angels secured his signature for the next 12 years, as their star outfielder put pen to paper on a $430 million deal<\/a> – the largest in sports history.<\/p>\n

These three deals are ones that people would have once never expected to see. But now there are three, and many more through the sporting world, with certainly many more to come. Betts will almost assuredly be one of these.<\/p>\n

Boston’s Chances of Bringing Back Betts<\/h2>\n

Betts is the star in Boston. He will be one of the select few who the franchise will not let go no matter what. That being said, the Red Sox face a tough challenge in keeping this tremendous roster intact. After signing ace Chris Sale<\/a> to a five-year, $145 million deal<\/a> last week, the payroll is not exactly declining. With J.D. Martinez<\/a> and Xander Bogaerts<\/a> both nearing the ends of their deals, it will be a tough task to manage in keeping Boston’s superstars at home.<\/p>\n

There will be no doubt that Betts remains a priority for Boston. But it is not going to be cheap. You can expect to see Betts net a contract similar to that of Trout’s. The 26-year-old Betts\u00a0has time on his side. As one of the few players who can do it all, he can expect a huge deal.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>