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Report: Red Sox more serious about Mookie deal, rivals think it may happen

Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

A Mookie Betts trade seems to be becoming more likely.

The Boston Red Sox are more serious than ever about trading their superstar outfielder, and rival clubs are beginning to believe a deal could happen, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have been publicly linked to Betts.

Most recently, the Padres reportedly exchanged names with Boston, and they want the Red Sox to take on a large portion of Wil Myers' contract. The club's proposed deal didn't include any of the Padres' top-five prospects.

Left-hander MacKenzie Gore, right-hander Luis Patino, catcher Luis Campusano, and outfielder Taylor Trammell are the team's top minor leaguers, according to MLB Pipeline's rankings. The Red Sox have expressed interest in Campusano, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.

Boston has also considered Manuel Margot, Josh Naylor, and one of Cal Quantrill or Joey Lucchesi.

Betts and the Red Sox avoided arbitration earlier this winter, settling on a one-year deal worth $27 million. The 2018 MVP will be eligible to hit free agency next offseason.

The 27-year-old hit .295/.391/.524 with 29 homers and 16 steals over 150 games last year, earning his fourth All-Star appearance, winning his third Silver Slugger Award, and finishing eighth in AL MVP voting.

There's also a belief the Red Sox want to include David Price - who's owed $96 million through 2022 - in any Betts trade, and the Padres reportedly aren't interested in the veteran left-hander. Price authored a 4.28 ERA and 3.62 FIP over 22 starts last season.

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