Reigning AL MVP Mookie Betts and the Red Sox have agreed to a record one-year, $20 million deal, avoiding arbitration, according to multiple reports Friday that cited unidentified sources.
The dollar figure is a record for a player in his second year of arbitration and, more important, ESPN's Jeff Passan noted, "(h)is number next year, if he doesn’t work out an extension, could be gargantuan."
Mookie Betts settled with the Boston Red Sox at $20 million, league source familiar with the agreement tells ESPN. A huge number that sets a new standard for 4+ players. His number next year, if he doesn’t work out an extension, could be gargantuan.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 11, 2019
Betts, 26, made $10.85 million in 2018, a season in which all the three-time All-Star did was lead the majors in batting and slugging with a .346/.438/.640 slash line. He had 32 homers, 129 runs and 80 RBIs as he ignited the offense and played Gold Glove defense in the Red Sox's championship season, his fifth in the majors.
The Red Sox had until 1 p.m. ET Friday to find reach an agreement and avoid an arbitration hearing with their right fielder.
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