The highly anticipated showdown between the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox features a major player: Alex Verdugo.
After finishing last in the American League East for the past two seasons, the Red Sox traded Alex Verdugo to their division rivals, the New York Yankees, in exchange for three pitchers. Be that as it may, Red Sox’ manager Alex Cora, disclosed a secret to NESN that they had got into a conversation with the Yankees manager about Verdugo numerous times during the 2023 season.
“I know they had been looking at (Verdugo) for a while. It’s no secret. (Aaron Boone) has talked to me about him for some time. His hitting is solid. It’s a different kind of bat for them compared to the other guys.”
Before Boston and New York began their three-game series at Fenway Park, Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged that the trade was beneficial for both teams.
“We got three pitchers, and we had good players in the outfield,” Cora said. “I think, given where we were as an organization, we were trying to maximize his value, and I think we nailed it.
Red Sox manager praises Yankees
Cora mentioned that when the Yankees acquired Juan Soto and paired him with Aaron Judge, it put New York on a different offensive level. He compared the Yankees duo to former Red Sox hitters David Ortiz and Manny Ramírez. Adding Verdugo to the Yankees lineup gives New York that fourth batter they were missing.
“I think (Verdugo) fits into their program. He’s batting fourth. He’s going to put the ball in play,” said Cora. “He’s a good base runner. He’s a good defender. But it opened the door for us to play other guys. We’ve got (Tyler O’Neill), (Wilyer) Abreu, Jarren (Duran), (Ceddanne) Rafaela. I think, given where we were with our roster and our plan for the season, it was the right time (to trade Verdugo).”
Cora added: “He’s a good player and a player that was traded. We got three good pitchers; that’s the deal. He’s going to be a defender. He’s going to hit. … He’s been very consistent in left field. He’s playing well for them. We knew he was a good player and he’s going to help them win games.”
Alex Verdugo vs. the Red Sox
Though Alex Verdugo once played for the Red Sox, he said he hopes Red Sox fans will welcome him as a Yankee, despite feeling strange playing at Fenway Park in different colors.
Over his time with the Red Sox, Boston was able to take a good record with Alex Verdugo where he was a major part in a deal that included Mookie Betts who then moved to the Dodgers (2021-23). Thus, Verdugo had a batting average of .278 with an average OPS of .751, 12 home runs, 64 RBIs, and played 147 games per year during this period.
Before this short Yankee series, a .259 average in the game and an OPS of .733, in addition to eight home runs and 37 RBIs did not stop Alex from being a cleanup hitter for the Yankees. 68 games later Alex was indeed a Yankees star as he ended the season with 259 hits, 92 HR, and 120 RBI, which made him the reigning MVP of the ALCS.
Last year, the Boston media widely reported that the only troubles Alex had last year in Boston revolved around his frequent late and lazy arrivals so the Red Sox manager Alex Cora was forced to punish him according to Boston sports media.
When do the Yankees vs. Red Sox game start?
As previously mentioned, the rain in Boston briefly delayed the start of Yankees-Red Sox, but it is set to start at 7:30 p.m. EST, and be covered on the Yes Network.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
It can’t be a win-win for both sides. That’s four wins. It’s either a win-win (two wins) or a win for both sides (same).