Mookie Betts trade in trouble with Twins refusing to offer more players

The Boston Red Sox thought they had a deal done sending Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but to quote Lee Corso, “NOT SO FAST, MY FRIENDS!”

Earlier this week, there was word the trade might be held up because the Red Sox review of Brusdar Graterol’s medical records raised questions for them. The Twins viewed the pitching prospect as a relief pitcher, but the Red Sox were hoping he could turn into a starter.

After the deal was reported, the Red Sox reportedly asked for more from the Twins to complete the deal. The Twins are not budging on their end, according to Star Tribune reporter Le Valle Neal III

According to two sources with knowledge of talks, the Twins no longer expect to work out their end of a proposed three-way deal involving the Red Sox and Dodgers, a deal in which the Twins were to receive righthander Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers while sending righthanded flamethrower Brusdar Graterol to the Red Sox.

If the Twins won’t send anybody other than Graterol, this deal could very well fall apart. It’s possible the Dodgers and Red Sox can convince someone else to get in the mix, but for the time being, the situation is messy. The Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Tuesday, and starting pitcher David Price is currently part of this deal. Position players report on February 16, so it would seem like Boston would want to get this sorted out sooner than later.

For now, the Red Sox are in limbo trying to get their salary dump completed.