The Boston Red Sox are making a rare trade with their hated rival. The New York Yankees are acquiring outfielder Alex Verdugo in exchange for pitchers Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert and Nicholas Judice, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. A potential deal between the Red Sox and Yankees had previously been reported, but it is still quite the splash after what had been a quiet offseason for both teams.
This is the first big move Craig Breslow has made since being named the Red Sox's new general manager in October, and it is one fans have expected for some time. With a greater emphasis being placed on the roster's young players, including multiple outfielders expected to carve out a role in 2024, signing Verdugo to a long-term contract felt unlikely.
Where Yankees, Red Sox go from here
As for Yankees' front office shot-caller Brian Cashman, this is potentially a key addition to a lineup often maligned for being too power-dependent. The 27-year-old is a career .281 hitter who made visible improvements on defense this past season. He may not be the left-handed bat fans have envisioned throughout the offseason, but Verdugo can be a welcome breath of fresh air in the Bronx.
Although the former second-round pick's departure was probable, Boston still needs to make sure it maximizes his return value. A trio of right-handers could offer depth for a pitching staff that has been known to have those type of concerns lately. Greg Weissert posted a 4.05 ERA in 17 relief appearances for the Yankees in 2023, while Richard Fitts (ranked No. 12 prospect in New York's farm system) and Nicholas Judice have yet to make their MLB debuts.
Although there were some bumps in the road this past season, Alex Verdugo should be fondly remembered by Red Sox fans for being a good ballplayer and a key member of the last successful team the Fenway faithful have been fortunate enough to see. He did enough to prove he is more than just one of the guys traded for Mookie Betts.
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