Worst Trade In Recent Memory: Boston Red Sox

One of the worst trades in recent memory is a bitter one for the Boston Red Sox.

The 2020 trade between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers involved the Dodgers acquiring outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. Many Red Sox fans and analysts criticized the trade, arguing that Betts was one of the best players in the league and the team should have done everything possible to keep him.

Breaking: The trade that will send Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been agreed upon, sources tell @jeffpassan.

The new trade will send Betts and David Price to L.A., with OF Alex Verdugo and SS Jeter Downs among the return for Boston. pic.twitter.com/iKlQP4rPM8

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 9, 2020

Betts had already won a Gold Glove, four Silver Slugger awards, and an American League MVP award during his six years with the Red Sox, and was a key member of the team's 2018 World Series championship team. The trade was also criticized for the return the Red Sox received in exchange for Betts. While Verdugo is a is a solid player, he is seen as an obvious downgrade from Betts, and Downs and Wong were viewed as solid prospects but not elite talents.

As of now, neither Downs nor Wong have made much of an impact at all in the majors. Downs was actually placed on waivers by the Red Sox this offseason, and is now with the Washington Nationals.

Not only did the #Dodgers acquire a generational talent in Mookie Betts, they also acquired one of the most respected players in the game in David Price. So far, he’s showed he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

What a trade 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/g3af8KeCEU

— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) April 16, 2021

Furthermore, the trade was seen as a way for the Red Sox to shed salary, as the team was facing luxury tax penalties for exceeding the league's payroll limit. This led to accusations that the team was prioritizing financial considerations over winning. Overall, the trade was widely regarded as a bad move for the Red Sox, as they lost one of the best players in the league and did not receive enough in return. Conversely, the Dodgers were seen as clear winners of the trade, adding a superstar player and a solid starting pitcher to their already talented roster.

Also, not to mention the Dodgers went on to win the World Series that season. Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports