Settling scores: Alex Verdugo’s personal stakes in World Series showdown

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Alex Verdugo looked back on his journey with the Dodgers, where his major league career began in 2017. His time in Los Angeles peaked during the 2019 season, a standout year for Verdugo as he contributed to the Dodgers’ remarkable 106-win campaign—a performance he still regards as one of his best.

Speaking Thursday ahead of the World Series opener, Verdugo opened up about the emotional toll of being traded to the Red Sox in the Mookie Betts deal after 2019. He admitted to being initially opposed to leaving Los Angeles, and while he understood the business side of baseball, the move left a lasting impact.

Now, as he prepares to face his former team in the World Series, Verdugo remains focused on capturing a championship. However, he admits there’s extra motivation to show the Dodgers that parting with him may have been a misstep.

“I was upset. I was pretty clear I didn’t want to go anywhere,” Verdugo said on Thursday. “I understood it from a business aspect and all that, but I was pretty hurt by it. You want to win and you want to kind of show them, ‘Hey, you guys got rid of me and maybe it wasn’t the right decision.”

Verdugo wants to make return memorable

Although Verdugo has faced the Dodgers since the trade, this marks his first time returning to Dodger Stadium, sparking mixed emotions for the Yankees’ left fielder. He expressed gratitude for the fan support he received in L.A. and looks forward to the unique atmosphere of Dodger Stadium, which he recalls as one of the defining aspects of his time with the team.

Alex Verdugo is thoughtful about his return to Dodger Stadium, wondering if he’ll receive a warm initial reception from the Los Angeles fans before the competitive energy of the World Series kicks in. Regardless of the response, he emphasizes his deep affection for Dodger Stadium and the lasting influence of his time there.

“It’s special to finally get back here, to play in front of this crowd,” he said. “This fan base showed me nothing but love. … It’s going to feel good to come out here, play in front of the Dodgers crowd again. Just feel that atmosphere, that was one thing about playing here. I go through this in my mind a few times. Part of me wants to get a little bit of, ‘Hey, man, welcome back,’ and then it’s like, ‘All right, it’s the World Series, we’re going to boo you.’ We’ll see. At the end of the day, I still love this palace. Nothing is going to change that — that feeling when I was here.”

After spending four seasons with the Red Sox, Verdugo found himself on the move again, joining the Yankees this offseason. His New York tenure started strong, but his production tapered off in September, coinciding with the rise of promising prospect Jasson Dominguez, who seemed set to take his spot in the lineup.

However, manager Aaron Boone showed confidence in Verdugo over the rookie, a choice that has paid off. Verdugo has delivered solid October performances, highlighted by steady defense and timely hits. The 28-year-old expressed gratitude for Boone’s trust in veteran experience, noting that this support helped him step up with crucial postseason contributions.

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