Dodger Splash 🌊

February 5, 2020

By: Jeff Yoder

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Stephanie Apstein (Sports Illustrated)

“When the Red Sox traded Betts, they said two things to their fans: Maybe next year. And: Screw you.”

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 MLB 

Dodgers Make A Splash!

Los Angeles Acquires Mookie Betts & David Price From Red Sox

Mookie on the move! The L.A. Dodgers finalized a blockbuster three-team trade on Tuesday night to acquire OF Mookie Betts and P David Price from the Red Sox. Betts is in his prime at 27 years old with a .301 career batting average. The 2018 AL MVP joins the 2017 NL MVP (Cody Bellinger) in the same outfield, and L.A. just became the 2020 World Series favorite. Attaching Price to the trade was a win for Los Angeles and relief for the Red Sox who were looking to dump his 7-year, $217 million contract ($96 million remaining) as they enter a rebuild. Alex Verdugo, Brusdar Graterol, and Kenta Maeda were also included in the three-team deal with the Red Sox and Twins.

Trade Details

• Dodgers Get: OF Mookie Betts, P David Price
• Red Sox Get: OF Alex Verdugo, P Brusdar Graterol
• Twins Get: P Kenta Maeda

Does Mookie Make the Difference?
It’s been 32 years since the Dodgers won the World Series, but they’ve been to seven consecutive postseasons. The last seven years included back-to-back losses in the Fall Classic; one to the Astros (2017) and one to the Red Sox (2018). They were the biggest victims of the sign-stealing scandal that rocked Houston and Boston, but now they’ve added another top-5 player in the big leagues. Imagine 1-4 in the lineup: Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger. Geez… Is Mookie the piece that puts Los Angeles over the top?

Additional Reads
SI: Red Sox Spit at Fans With Mookie Betts Trade
The Athletic: Mookie Betts is Exactly What Los Angeles Needed (Paywall)
ESPN: Dodgers Betting on Betts to Bring World Series (Video)

The Dodgers also traded OF Joc Pederson to the Angels in exchange for Luis Rengifo in a separate trade just hours later. Read More (B/R)

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NBA

Woj Week: Trade Deadline Incoming Rockets Send Capela to Hawks in 4-Team Deal The first Woj bomb of the week hit Tuesday night around Midnight ET, and it was a doozy. For those unfamiliar, a “Woj bomb” refers to a breaking news story dropped by ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. There should be a barrage of Woj news in the next 24 hours before the NBA Trade Deadline (Thursday, 4:00 pm ET). Last night’s explosion featured a four-team deal headlined by Rockets big man Clint Capela. Trade Details Rockets Get: Robert Covington, Jordan Bell Hawks Get: Clint Capela, Nene Nuggets Get: Gerald Green, Noah Vonleh, Shabazz Napier, Keita Bates-Diop, 2020 first-round pick Timberwolves Get: Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez, Evan Turner, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2020 first-round pick Winners: Everybody The Rockets’ 25-year-old center was their most valuable trade asset entering another must-win postseason run. He’s set to make $54 million over the next three years. Houston gets a 3-and-D wing in Robert Covington to add another shooting presence, and everyone else in this trade just loaded up from the Rockets’ desperation. Additional Reads SLAM: Breaking Down the 4-Team Capela Mega-Trade The Ringer: Two Trades for Every Team Before the Deadline

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NBA All-Star Events

Participants Revealed

3-Point Contest
Damian Lillard (Blazers), Trae Young (Hawks), Buddy Hield (Kings), Devonte’ Graham (Hornets), Duncan Robinson (Heat), Joe Harris (Nets), Davis Bertans (Wizards), Zach LaVine (Bulls) Read More (B/R)

Slam Dunk Contest
Dwight Howard (Lakers), Aaron Gordon (Magic), Derrick Jones Jr. (Heat), Pat Connaughton (Bucks) Read More (B/R)

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NFL

2020 NFL Offseason Preview

5 Events to Watch

Yep, this is a thing. Previewing the offseason in the NFL is just about as exciting as the games themselves, and the spring calendar still has XFL games to add excitement (beginning this Saturday). From a Kansas City celebration to Tom Brady’s free agency, here are the five things to watch in the upcoming NFL offseason:

Kansas City Parade (Today, 11:30 am ET): After a 50-year wait, it’s time to celebrate in Kansas City. The Chiefs Super Bowl Parade hits downtown KC this morning for a two-hour party concluding at Union Station. You can watch the celebration live on NFL Network.

NFL Combine (Feb. 24 — Mar. 2): The annual scouting event hits Indianapolis as the top college prospects get an invite to a week of drills, both mental and physical.

Free Agency (Mar. 16 — Mar. 18): Teams can begin to negotiate new contracts with unrestricted free agents. Quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers are UFAs. The free agent market opens at 4:00 pm ET on March 18.

League Meetings (Mar. 29 — Apr. 1): All 32 team owners, general managers and coaches will gather in Florida for the annual league meetings and reviews of the 2019 season. Current CBA discussions will be a focal point.

NFL Draft (Apr. 23 — 25): This year’s draft heads to Las Vegas for a one-of-kind experience at the Bellagio. Players will ride to the stage via boat before walking the red carpet and celebrating a lifelong dream come true.

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HIGHLIGHTS

🏀 NBA: Zion Meets Giannis Rookie superstar vs. reigning MVP was a fun one on Tuesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 pts, 17 rebs, 6 asts) and the Bucks went into New Orleans and got the win (120-108). It was Zion Williamson’s first NBA game shooting under 50 percent (26.3). (ESPN) ⚽️ SOCCER: Reyna’s Wonder Goal World, meet Gio Reyna. One of the top American soccer prospects and son of former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna struck his first goal in the Bundesliga at 17 years old, and it was a beauty. (NBC Sports) 🏒 NHL: Ovechkin Nearing 700 With the Capitals trailing the Kings 2-1 in the third period, Alex Ovechkin went goal-hunting. He tallied another hat trick for goal No. 698. Caps won, 4-2. Ovechkin is two goals away from becoming the eighth player in NHL history to 700 goals. (NHL)

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HEADLINES

Knicks Fire Team President Steve Mills Before Trade Deadline
(Bleacher Report)

Mark Dantonio Steps Down as Head Coach of Michigan State Amid Controversy
(Yahoo! Sports)

Phillies to Retire Roy Halladay’s Jersey on 10-Year Anniversary of Perfect Game
(Sports Illustrated)

Jaguars to Play Back-to-Back London Games in 2020
(CBS Sports)

NBA Adds Deep Shot, Format Changes to 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend
(ESPN)

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