Welcome to National sports spotlight NOW with Joe Gallant, another new feature on NRI NOW with our local sports guru.
Every week, Gallant will highlight a topic in national sports here on the website.
As of Friday afternoon, the blockbuster trade to send MVP Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts and much-maligned pitcher David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been put on hold and is in jeopardy.
The health of pitcher Brusdar Graterol is the hold up. Graterol, a 21-year-old flame thrower has had Tommy John surgery, and dealt with a shoulder injury last year. Graterol, when healthy, may be more of a closer than a starting pitcher, which the Red Sox had obviously originally hoped. This changes his value tremendously, and could allow the Red Sox a way out of a very unpopular trade. Fans do not like this deal. The more likely scenario would be further compensation from Los Angeles or Minnesota.
It’s rumored the Sox asked for another upper echelon Twins prospect (Top 10,) and possibly more money from the Dodgers towards the albatross that is David Price’s contract.
Sources say talks between the Twins and Red Sox are going “slowly” suggesting an agreement may not be coming soon.
There is also a bizarre story involving an assault on a young woman, social media, and Alex Verdugo. Verdugo is the other player along with Graterol traded to Boston for Betts and Price, but that is far from final as it stands now.
Catch Joe live on WNRI Radio 99.9fm/1380am, every Monday and Friday from 9:30-11 a.m.
