Reflecting on the Alex Verdugo's run with the Boston Red Sox!
All five hosts from the Bastards of Boston Baseball weigh in on Alex Verdugo's time in Boston!
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CODY PAULSEN:
I don't blame Verdugo one bit for what happened in Boston, he came here as a trade piece and had an uphill climb the entire way since he was one of the pieces for Mookie.
He won the fan base over with hard play/smart baseball/emotion. Unfortunately that emotion is a double sided sword. There are a lot of big personalities in the Red Sox organization and they are going to clash from time to time.
I disagree with how the front office openly shopped him, as well as how we refused to commit to him when he was one of the few players to play his heart out day in and day out.
I believe Verdugo is a slightly above average major league ball player who will definitely benefit from being surrounded by a well rounded and balanced roster.
The last thing I want to see is people lament him leaving when he produces for another team. Everyone wanted him gone when the reports came out about his disagreements with Cora etc.
JEREMY SCHILLING:
Personally I was over Alex Verdugo by the time he started breaking team rules resulting being benched on multiple occasions. Notwithstanding the inconsistent behavior, the Sox needed to move a left handed bat out of their crowded outfield.
The clear choice was Verdugo. Duran is the clearly the more complete player. Yoshida wasn't going to be moved that soon after Boston signed him. And the decision was made to sign Refsnyder to a guaranteed big league contract.
Verdugo is hitting at .261 average with nine big flys, and 41 RBI's. In other words, the Yankees are getting good production out of his spot in the lineup. However, I expect the power numbers to level off as, in my opinion, he's reached his max potential.
He will be to be a free agent this winter after making $8.7 million this year. 2025 will
be his age 29 season, and I just don't see a good team giving him anything beyond 2-3 years.
As a player that was seemingly always discussing his contact and expectation to sign an extension, Verdugo will seek a longer term contract.
I never wanted the Sox to pursue that type of deal, so I’m not upset to see him go, and I'm happy that he is not our problem moving forward.
JASON KELLY:
Verdugo’s arrival to Boston will forever be unfair to him because he will always be linked to Mookie Betts. He was the primary name coming back in that trade, fairly or unfairly.
The question really boils down to this: did he make the most of his time as a Boston Red Sox player?
Ultimately, I think Verdugo was an adequate player for the team, and to be frank, that wasn’t good enough.
He showed that he could be a solid, every day ballplayer, but it never went further than that. He improved defensively, and at times, showed himself to be a clutch player offensively.
However, Verdugo was never consistent enough to warrant his lack of hustle at times, along with the constant aggravations that Alex Cora had with him.
I feel that Verdugo belongs in a similar class with the likes of Carl Everett, unfortunately. Yes, he’s very talented and could be a great player. Alas, he tends to let his personality get in the way and too easily slips into bad habits, which results in his play on the field suffering as a result.
Sadly, Verdugo will always go down as a consolation prize for the Mookie Betts trade now that Connor Wong has proven himself to be far more valuable and reliable than Verdugo ever could have been.
CHARLIE SMITH:
Alex Verdugo. I wish that’s all you had to say. His status for being infamous was not always for the right reasons.
The Dodgers were willing to let go of Verdugo. As well as future big leaguers in Connor Wong and Jeter Downs for an all around super talent in Mookie Betts.
Betts all but forced his way out of Boston at times not giving his all, probably should have been moved a year prior.
Verdugo’s status as a beloved member of the Red Sox became sour after flat quitting on the team in 2023, showing no effort, attending meetings late, and not accepting any accountability.
The fact of the matter is, Verdugo will continue trying until he gets called out. Being a member of the Bombers is a false security. He has two of the best hitters batting in front of him, thoroughly inflating his numbers, which give him the appearance of being a proven veteran. But deep down, we know who he is. A head case nightmare that will be hitting below .250 by seasons end.
Truthfully there is no feeling for him at all anymore. He did not stay long enough to warrant them.
TERRY CUSHMAN JR:
To sum up the Alex Verdugo era in Boston with only one word, it would be “complicated.”
Prior to the 2023 season,there was never any notable controversy with the ex-dodger. He was an entertaining interview, and frequently delivered in big games.
During the 2021 post season, Boston’s only October appearance since winning their last championship, Verdugo batted .310/.383 as team went fairly deep into the playoffs.
Things started to unravel last season when the lefty outfielder was inconsistent, and at times lazy in the outfield. Not to mention being disciplined by Alex Cora for being tardy to practice. Both instances got him benched in various starts.
When reflecting on Verdugo’s tenure in Boston, I find myself wrestling with two questions:
1. Was he a cancer in the clubhouse?
2. Did the last place finishes make his issues more glaring?
I believe it’s the latter.
When it came to where he was slotted into the lineup, he always delivered. Lead off, two hole, five hole, he got it done.
Verdugo’s plate discipline was elite. The dude barely ever struck out. Most impressively, he led all Red Sox players in doubles during his final season with the club.
In the end, he was a small part of a massive failure collectively within the Red Sox organization.
Only being a year away from free agency, it made less sense to pay him. Younger and more inexpensive players like Duran, Abreu, and Roman Anthony were on the cusp of being mainstays on the Boston roster, and all happen to be lefties.
I forgive Verdugo. And steadfastly believe that the good far outweighed the bad during his time as a Red Sox outfielder.