Dodgers: Social Media Reacts to Mookie Betts Trade (Again)
Last week, when news broke across social media that Andrew Friedman had pulled off an improbable heist on the Boston Red Sox, reactions across the baseball world began to pour in. The excitement receded quickly, however, as the trade hit a snag which resulted in one of the wilder weeks in recent Dodger (and baseball) fandom.
And now, finally, 6 days later, the blockbuster trade we have all been waiting for was finally made official by the teams, and social media lit up once again.
It started with the officially official “no big deal” tweet from the Dodgers’ social media team:
The Dodgers acquired OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for OF Alex Verdugo, minor league IF Jeter Downs and minor league C Connor Wong.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 11, 2020
Then, it got fun:
Welcome, @mookiebetts! pic.twitter.com/IN1D4iz3Lq
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 11, 2020
And we were reminded that it was in fact Joe Kelly’s little guy Knox who first planted the Mookie seed in spring training last year:
Mookie to LA?
Knox Kelly had it first. ? pic.twitter.com/eMsXhf1i7B
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 11, 2020
Fans quickly started imagining what the summer will look like at Dodger Stadium, with images like this:
Animating all of Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger's home runs since 2015 overlaid at @Dodgers stadium. ??? pic.twitter.com/1pwFlbzvve
— Daren Willman (@darenw) February 11, 2020
When you realize your team not only acquired Mookie Betts, but did so in a contract year when he's likely going to ball out. pic.twitter.com/L4oN0yG6Rb
— Brian (@BriRobitaille) February 10, 2020
Reactions from players were minimal, and I suspect it has a lot to do with the fact that the boys are losing at least two members of the big league club, with the hint of more movement to come before all is said and done. The “welcome to the team” tweets and posts are likely to start after they respectfully say goodbye to those who are leaving, but in the meantime, we know we will miss Dugie and Kenta:
Thank you for the memories, Kenta and Alex. pic.twitter.com/AvvRasEhnU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 11, 2020
*Insert broken-hearted emoji*
— Gail Johnson (@GJOH29) February 11, 2020
Never forget Maedas debut in San Diego. Forgetting he was up, ran to the batters box, apologized to Cashner and then proceeded to hit a bomb.
— Chase Grisham (@ChaseGrisham) February 11, 2020
— ••• (@dontbotherjen) February 11, 2020
Meanwhile, an old friend clearly had other issues on his mind while all of this was happening…
Why do they run towards pistol Pete in the bachelor? ? #awk
— Kyle Farmer (@kFarm17) February 11, 2020
…and we suspect Betts’ former team members are still not happy.
??
— J.D. Martinez (@JDMartinez28) February 9, 2020
And finally, I have a feeling Andrew Friedman may have slept well for the first time in…possibly years?
The party on social media is sure to continue throughout the week, and with pitchers and catchers reporting this week, it’s high time to get this season started…and leave this rollercoaster of an off-season far behind.
Thank you Kenta and Alex for your play and professionalism with the DODGERS!