Trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers don't just involve superstar outfielder Mookie Betts.
In their effort to shed salary, the Red Sox reportedly want to attach David Price's contract in a Betts trade with Los Angeles. Price has three years and $96 million remaining on his deal, and that's a boatload of money for a 34-year-old starting pitcher who's thrown more than 2,000 regular season innings. Let's also not forget all of the injuries Price has battled in his career.
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For these reasons and others, it's far from surprising the Dodgers aren't too keen on paying the full amount owed to Price in any trade that involves Betts. USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reported Monday morning an update on the Dodgers' preference when it comes to Price's contract.
The Dodgers have a high payroll and aren't afraid to spend in a major way -- remember when they took on the contracts of Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and others in a trade with the Red Sox before the 2013 season? The Dodgers also need to be smart, though, because they already have a World Series-caliber roster without Betts and Price.
Los Angeles isn't the only potential Betts trade scenario with a salary hurdle. The San Diego Padres reportedly want the Red Sox to take Wil Myers and the $13 million left on his contract in any Betts deal. That's a lot of money for a player who's past his prime.
Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just over a week, with position players arriving soon after that. It would behoove the Red Sox to find a solution to Betts' situation before spring training begins.
