Yankees-Red Sox Trade! Alex Verdugo Is Headed To The Bronx In a Move That Feels Very Weird
Weird. That's my honest and only reaction to this trade. Weird. Yankee fans have hated Alex Verdugo for a while now. The Red Sox org was very sour on him towards the end (especially Cora) and I imagine the fans as well. Let's just pour out all my thoughts and call it a blog.
Everyone will surely be making the joke now that the Yankees found their lefty hitting outfielder of the offseason. Couple things with that. With Jasson Dominguez missing at least the first half of the 2024 season, the Yankees needed two outfielders this offseason. Verdugo checks the box as an outfielder. Is he a good one? Well, he physically can play center, but he's not good at it. Until Martian is back, do you see Judge out there a lot in center? He loves to play the position, but I think they want to avoid doing that to him and preserve the big guy the best they can. Maybe for the first half that's the move though.
In the event Soto is traded to the Yankees, I don't see a scenario where they let him play left given his issues. That could be Verdugo's home with Judge in center and Soto in right. If Verdugo could handle Fenway's right then hopefully Yankee Stadium left is do-able. Many have tried and failed, but it makes sense Verdugo can manage it. When Dominguez returns things get complicated with alignment but that's a good problem to have in the scenario I present. If he becomes your fourth OF that's a solid situation.
Verdugo is an average hitter. Career 105 OPS+, .281 average, .765 OPS. Those numbers have been on the lower end over the last few seasons. Maybe with a change of scenery and the short porch in right they tick up? I have always liked how hard Verdugo plays, just when you do that as a Red Sox it brands you become a sworn enemy. Solid contact guy who hustles and plays defense? Not the worst player to have on your team.
It's funny to look back at the proposed Gleyber for Verdugo deal during last season. This haul was three lower tier pitchers including a reliever who went back and forth between the bigs and AAA last year. Weissert has nasty stuff, but struggles with control. Nicholas Judice might as well be made up. Richard Fitts as well.
I had no idea we had a guy named Dick Fitts in our organization. Seems like a guy we should have been using.
It's even funnier to look back at the Mookie Betts deal where Verdugo was the "main piece" going to Boston.
Juan Soto is very much still in play.
Jack Curry doesn't just tweet nonsense. He's very plugged into the organization's moves. When he says shit like this it means talks are happening and a light at the end of the tunnel is there. Hopefully this means they are currently re-engaging and we hear from them soon. Along with this tweet he just said the Yankees and Padres talked have intensified and reignited.
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Speaking of Soto, it's entirely possible Verdugo could be flipped and head to San Diego in that deal. They are known to be wanting pitching so that wouldn't make the most sense. It's simply a possibility, but I'd bet he sticks considering he's just a one year of control guy.
Still can't believe Dick Fitts is a real person.
Also, Verdugo is going to look like a fucking alien with his beard shaved.
At the end of the day this is weird, but hey I asked for baseball moves and this certainly is one. Just the 7th trade between Boston and the Yankees in the last 50 years. Always bizarre when they go down. I now pray to God there's more to come otherwise I will meet my demise.