David Ortiz is realistic about the Mookie Betts situation.
The former Red Sox slugger understands the situation both Betts and the Red Sox are in with the outfielder's contract running out after the 2020 season. That's why even Ortiz suggests it might be best to make a deal.
"I could talk to you about Mookie forever, but the reality is, business-wise, this is going to be his last year (under contract)," Ortiz told NBC Sports Boston at the Super Bowl festivities in Miami. "And you know the game that teams love playing with a guy like him — I trade him, I will get young talent, you will get whatever you want with Mookie. Unfortunately, that's the baseball business."
Ortiz played with Betts for three seasons, taking the All-Star under his wing both on and off the field. He also still is employed by the Red Sox and has a grasp on the roster-building conundrum the Sox are currently facing - particularly with little chance of getting a contract extension done.
"Here's the thing, though, my boy Mookie is at the stage of his career where he has to get what he deserves," Ortiz added in the interview "The Red Sox, we have a very high payroll, and I don't think our owner wants to go past that. Signing Mookie, it definitely would put that payroll way over. I don't think the Red Sox are ready for that. You don't want to get rid of a guy like him because Mookie's got to be, right now, the most exciting player to watch, in the whole MLB. That's my boy, that's like a little brother to me."
The Athletic reported earlier Thursday that the Dodgers -- one of the two primary suitors for Betts' services -- were on the cusp of making a decision on a deal one way or another.
