SUMMARY
- Mookie Betts showcased his adaptability by not only excelling in his usual outfield role but also filling infield positions in 2023.
- Mookie Betts signed a lucrative 12-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 22, 2020, lasting until the 2032 season.
In 2023, Mookie Betts displayed more than just his usual outfield skills for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Filling in the gaps left by injuries and underperformance in the infield, Betts demonstrated his adaptability by not only holding down second base but also making his debut appearance as a shortstop for the very first time in his MLB career.
In turn, the slugger was elected as a National League starter in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. On a memorable August 7, 2023, Betts swung his way into his fifth grand slam home run as a lead-off batter. Looking back at the contract extension he inked with the Dodgers in 2020, the same year they won the World Series with Betts as a key player, it’s evident that the deal has proven worthwhile for the team.
The Dodgers in the upcoming seasons have an incredible roster featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Freddie Freeman alongside Betts. Now a question arises – Just how much is the slugger bringing in with the Dodgers?
How much is Mookie Betts making with the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Mookie Betts is making bank with the Los Angeles Dodgers. On July 22, 2020, the team secured the slugger for a 12-year contract extension, spanning until the 2032 season. The deal comes with a value of $365 million. However, that was not all, as there was an additional $65 million signing bonus.
This throw by Mookie Betts is so satisfying to watch
pic.twitter.com/n4L2Z431z7— Baseball Central™ (@BaseballCentraI) February 16, 2024
This contract held the title of the Dodgers’ richest until the recent signing of Shohei Ohtani to a $700 million deal this off-season. Breaking down the numbers, the slugger is enjoying an average annual salary of $30,416,667.
A glance at his previous contracts reveals the contrast since his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2015 when he started with a contract valued at $514,000. By 2020, he had a $365 million contract.
How did Mookie Betts join the Dodgers?
On February 10, 2020, Mookie Betts joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. The deal, orchestrated by Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, saw Betts and David Price heading to the Dodgers, while the Red Sox received Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong.
Betts had already made history with the Red Sox in 2018. He was the first player to win the Most Valuable Player award, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title, and World Series in the same season. After joining the Dodgers he has continued making waves.
Last season he played one of the most taxing roles on the field – the shortstop. According to ESPN, it was a position he hadn’t played since his early minor league days 12 years ago. Despite the shift, he quickly gained proficiency, earning praise as “better than average” at the major league level, according to infield coach Dino Ebel.
Betts had an impressive 2023 season, contributing both at the plate and on the field. Although his postseason stats dipped slightly, he remains a crucial part of the team’s core, with high expectations for the upcoming 2024 season.