Mookie Betts and Alex Verdugo are gone and Red Sox still chase an uncertain future

Tennessee’s Nashville The Mookie Betts trade was doomed from the beginning in so many ways. It had to do with timing and money—a team going through a change and a player at the height of his abilities. Even at three for one, the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers had different goals and were going in different directions, so it was unlikely that the trade would ever have a neutral effect on the field. It had to do with the Red Sox starting over. a new chance.

And that was also unsuccessful.

The Red Sox traded right fielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for three young pitchers, giving up the big return from that 2020 blockbuster. Verdugo finished his four years in Boston with 43 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and one championship season.

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Once Alex Verdugo of the Yankees took parting shots at the Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon ripped him.

Gabe Lacques USA TODAY
Although Alex Verdugo has left Boston, he is still facing the wrath of the former Red Sox after receiving a parting shot from his former manager.
After a fruitful but occasionally turbulent four years in Boston, Verdugo was traded from the Red Sox to the rival Yankees. He expressed excitement about starting over in the Bronx. And mentioned he would strongly recommend player-friendly Aaron Boone, his new manager, to Alex Cora.

“I’m incredibly thrilled to collaborate with Aaron,” Verdugo declared as he introduced himself to the New York press. “I’ve seen how he looks out for his players. The part that (sticks out) for me is when he yells, “These guys are savages,” at the umpires. One thing I would like to see from my head coach is that. For the guys, I want to see some fire and some fighting.

“I think, just instead of airing people out, have their backs.”

Now it’s evident that one man’s way of venting is another’s means of inspiration. Before the 2023 season, Cora expressed his desire to see more from Verdugo, who was essentially a league-average hitter in Boston with an OPS of.745.