Yes, Mr. and Mrs. America , Alex Cora’s nightmare is over. Jeff Passan first reported The Red Sox traded Alex Verdugo to, of all people, The Yankee’s . In return ? The Red Sox get three right handed pitching prospects in : Nicholas Judis , Greg Weissert and the Yankees number 12 prospect Richard Fittz. Not too shabby a haul for a guy who the entire world knew you wanted to move because of attitude.
Over the past two seasons Verdugo became a semi - talented stone in the cleat of his manager Alex Cora. The team tried to move him on multiple occasions last season including at the trade deadline. He and his manager were two very different people. As evidenced by his being benched twice in 2023. Verdugo was first sat down for a lack of hustle then for an abundance of tardiness. It was told to me that Verdugo was more often than not the last man to the ballpark and the first one out of it. That is not the kind of ballplayer who endears himself to a baseball guy like Alex Cora.
Two thirds of the Red Sox end to the Mookie Betts deal are now gone; only the “Throw In “ catcher Connor Wong remains. Jeter Downs, the once promising prospect that was supposed to be the linchpin to the Betts deal was DFA in 23 and now plays someplace in the jungles of the Washington Nationals system. And now Verdugo, who Cora despised so much the Sox were willing to send him to the Boogie Down Bronx where in 55 games he has amassed a .252/.299/.437/.736 line with 5 home runs and 12 RBI.
Now we sit and wait to see what Breslow does with an outfield that as of now consists of Rob Refsnyder , Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran, and a pair of rookies, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. Will more moves come ? I sure hope so. Bob Neightngale reports the Sox are interested in free agent LF / SS /2b Lourdes Gurriel who could fill a lot of holes here in Boston. Or Dare i say it. Could Fernando Tatis Jr be in Breslow's plan ? I always dare.