In hindsight, Mookie Betts made the mystery of his worst career season sound rather simple.
Looking back on it now, the reasons were right there all along.
There was the stomach virus at the start of the year, which caused him to lose 20 pounds and develop bad swing habits while overcompensating for a decline in physical strength. There was the defensive switch to shortstop, which occupied much of his focus as he learned a new position on the go.
There was also an unfamiliar mental strain, as the former MVP slumped like he never had before.