The Yankees’ path to a World Series just became a lot easier, but winning it might be a bit more challenging.
In a blockbuster trade Tuesday that had been in the works for weeks, the Boston Red Sox sent superstar right fielder Mookie Betts, pitcher David Price and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-way deal that also includes the Twins, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed.
The Red Sox acquired Dodgers’ 23-year-old outfielder Alex Verdugo, who hit .294/.342/.475 in 106 games last season, and 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol from the Twins. Graterol was among the Twins’ top prospects, and is known for a fastball that can reach triple digits, according to MLB.com.
The Dodgers, who have played in two of the last three World Series, were looking to add a superstar after missing out on Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. This deal puts them right with the Yankees as the two favorites to win it all next season.
Betts, who agreed to a $27 million salary for 2020 (a record for an arbitration-eligible player), will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason and there was no guarantee the Red Sox would be able to re-sign him to what could be a $400 million contract (Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426 million deal with the Angels, signed last March, stands as the baseball record.)
That led the Red Sox to shop Betts with a focus on building for the future under new chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, who helped turn the Tampa Bay Rays into a playoff contender.
The 27-year-old Betts won the American League MVP in 2018 and the World Series the same season. He also is a four-time Gold Glove winner.
Price, 34, is owed $96 million over the next three seasons. After being a postseason hero with the Sox in 2018, Price struggled last season with a 4.28 ERA in 107 1/3 innings.
As part of the deal, the Twins acquired 31-year-old righty hurler Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers, who was 10-8 with a 4.04 ERA in 153 innings as mostly a reliever and spot starter.
In a separate deal, the Dodgers traded outfielder Joc Pederson and power-hitting outfield prospect Andy Pages to the Angels for infielder Luis Rengifo. Pederson, 29, hit .249/.339/.538 with 36 home runs and 74 RBIs in 149 games last season. The Dodgers and Pederson were headed to arbitration after not agreeing on a contract earlier this offseason. Rengifo, 22, hit .238/.321/.364 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 108 games with the Angels last season.
All deals are pending physicals.
