What a Mookie Betts trade would mean to Padres lineup

We look at what a trade for Mookie Betts would mean for the San Diego Padres in 2020, making them an elite offensive team.

When I was scrolling through Twitter Monday night it was full of San Diego Padres fans sitting on the verge of their seats waiting for them to trade for Mookie Betts.

Betts fever in San Diego is at an all-time high, and now I’ve bought into the hype.

At first I thought the Betts rumors were just AJ Preller kicking the tires but never took the rumors seriously. But now I’m getting excited thinking it might actually happen.

And the reason I’m so excited is because what it would mean to the Padres lineup in 2020 and how dangerous they could be.

It’s not that I think San Diego would suddenly become the favorites to win the NL West, but it would certainly make them a favorite to win a Wild Card spot.

But even beyond that, it would just be a fun offense to watch. And it’s been a while since we could say that in San Diego.

Consider this lineup with Betts:

Tatis Jr. – SS, Pham – LF, Betts – CF, Machado – 3B, Hosmer – 1B, Grisham – RF, Profar – 2B, Mejia/Hedges – C

I’ll put that top four in the lineup against just about any other offense in the National League.

That top four could easily combine for 18 WAR in 2020, and all of them could have a 4 WAR or better season.

The Dodgers top four hitters combined for 19.3 WAR last year, but that was lifted by Cody Bellinger who had 7.8 WAR in his MVP season. Only Max Muncy had a 4 WAR or better season.

I get the naysayers who think this move is shortsighted for one year of Betts because we’re not likely going to give out another $300 million deal.

But the impact Betts could have on this team in that one season could go a long way.

And if they trade for him now and keep him all season they’ll at least get a draft pick out of the deal when he rejects the qualifying offer.

Or if things don’t go as hoped to start 2020 they could flip him during the season and probably get just as good of a prospect package as it would take to land him now.

I’m still not that confident that a trade will happen, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t buying into the hype and getting excited about what it would mean to the Padres and their lineup in 2020.