Notebook: Mookie Betts signs 12-year, $365 million extension with Dodgers.
Even before Mookie Betts played his first game in Dodger Blue, the AllStar outfielder decided his future is in Los Angeles.
Betts and the Dodgers have struck baseball’s first bigmoney deal since the coronavirus pandemic decimated the sport’s economics, with Betts on Wednesday signing a 12year, $365 million deal through 2032 on the eve of Opening Night.
The agreement removes the 2018 AL MVP from next offseason’s freeagent class. The Dodgers acquired Betts in a trade from Boston on Feb. 10 and he bypassed the uncertainties of free agency for a secure future with an organization that already feels like home.
“I just love being here,” Betts said in a conference call from Dodger Stadium, where he will make his Dodgers debut Thursday against the Giants. “I’m here to win some rings and bring championships back to L.A. That’s all I’m focused on.”
Betts’ new deal is baseball’s secondlargest in total dollars behind the $426.5 million, 12year contract for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout covering 201930. (Trout confirmed Wednesday he will play this season, although his year will be paused in a few weeks by the birth of his first child.)
A fourtime Gold Glove winner, Betts won the MVP award en route to Boston’s 2018 World Series title. He hit .295 with 29 homers and 80 RBIs last year, down from a majorsleading .346 average with 32 homers and 80 RBIs in his MVP season.
Where’s home? Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, citing coronavirus concerns, rejected a plan by the Blue Jays and MLB to have the team play its home games at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park this season, Canada denied the Blue Jays’ request to play in Toronto because the schedule would require frequent travel back and forth from the U.S., where cases are surging.
“We know that this virus does not discriminate, and can even make professional athletes very sick,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We are committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of all Pennsylvanians.”
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said his team has more than five contingency plans for a home stadium and was in talks with other teams.
The Blue Jays open their season Friday at Tampa Bay. Their home opener is scheduled for next Wednesday.
“Everybody would love to have a home game but that might not be an option,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoya said. “Who knows? ... I’ve never gone through this, not with two days to go, not knowing where you’re going to play home games.”
Briefly: Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier tested positive for the coronavirus and was placed on the injured list. ... The Cardinals released reliever Brett Cecil and put utilityman Brad Miller (ankle injury) on the IL. ... The Mets placed pitchers Marcus Stroman (calf injury) and Robert Gsellman (triceps injury) on the IL and released two former Giants — outfielder Melky Cabrera and infielder Gordon Beckham . ... Also placed on the IL were outfielder Nomar Mazara (White Sox) and reliever Scott Oberg (Rockies), and reportedly headed to the IL is righthander Jake Odorizzi (Twins) with back soreness.