The Los Angeles Dodgers have been actively trying to add one of the best players in baseball. L.A. unsuccessfully pursued Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon in free agency. The team had trade talks about Francisco Lindor, but it appears the Cleveland Indians will start the 2020 MLB season with the shortstop on their roster.

With Mookie Betts likely to get moved before Opening Day, the Dodgers might have finally found the superstar they’ve been seeking.

Multiple reports indicate the Boston Red Sox are inevitably going to trade Betts, perhaps within the next few days. The Dodgers and San Diego Padres are the top suitors, and Los Angeles is starting to look like the outfielder’s most likely destination.

The Dodgers already have some of the sport’s top players on the roster. Cody Bellinger won the 2019 NL MVP award. Max Muncy was a starter in last year’s All-Star Game. Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler give Los Angeles a terrific frontend of the rotation.

It’s why the Dodgers have won seven straight NL West championships. Los Angeles came up short in the 2017 and 2018 World Series. They are favored to win the National League for the third time in four years.

Only the New York Yankees have better 2020 World Series odds than the Dodgers.

Even with all of Los Angeles’ talent, Betts will become the best Dodger if a trade with the Red Sox gets completed.

Betts’ average 8.5 WAR over the last four seasons is second in MLB only to Mike Trout. He won the 2018 AL MVP award when he led the league in runs, batting average and slugging percentage. Betts finished second in the 2016 AL MVP race in addition to a sixth-place finish in 2017 and an eighth-place finish last year.

In the 2019 season, Betts hit .295/.391/.524 with 29 home runs in 150 games. His average season since 2016 has included a .306/.384/.539 slash line, 29 home runs, 94 RBI, 25 stolen bases and 149 games played.

Betts has won a Gold Glove in each of the last four years.

Los Angeles has led the NL in runs scored in two straight seasons. With Betts, Bellinger, Muncy, Justin Turner and Corey Seager in the same lineup, the Dodgers would improve the league’s best offense.

Betts will make $27 million in the final year of his contract. He could earn more than $400 million in free agency.

Mookie Betts Boston Red Sox
Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with the World Series trophy after his team's 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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