Boston Red Sox left-handed hitter/outfielder Alex Verdugo was traded to New York Yankees earlier this off-season in a rare deal between the two arch-rivals. Verdugo, who had issues with the team and it’s management in 2023 season, was happy to land on the other side of the infamous rivalry.
Alex Verdugo also took an indirect jab at Red Sox manager Alex Cora for lack of support which ignited a controversy. That being said, Verdugo will be travelling to Fenway Park for the first time since the trade happened and he had a few words to share about his former team’s lack of efforts to bolster the roster.
Alex Verdugo Geared Up To Get Booed By Red Sox Crowd
New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo had rediscovered his dominant self in the Bronx after having spent a tough year with the Boston Red Sox in 2023. He was benched multiple times as punishment for not following team orders and discipline. He even had issues with manager Alex Cora after Verdugo called him out for being unsupportive. Meanwhile, since becoming a Yankee, Alex Verdugo will be stepping out in Fenway Park for the first time this week as the Yanks face the Red Sox in a three-game series. Ahead of the much-anticipated series, Verdugo, who spent four years in Boston, took a jab at his former team while explaining why the Red Sox failed to win a championship.
Alex Verdugo claimed that the Boston Red Sox didn’t pursue necessary pieces to bolster the roster during the off-season as well as the trade deadline. The outfielder feels the team didn’t have the necessary pieces to stack a complete and balanced lineup, which eventually led to their downfall. “It would have been nice to see a little bit more initiative when I was there, just to try to force winning,” Verdugo told Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Moreover, given Verdugo’s pre-season fiery interview, the Red Sox fans aren’t expected to greet the slugger back nicely. However, Alex is well prepared to be booed. “I’m open to whatever they do,” Verdugo added. On the flip side, Alex Verdugo is also happy to be back in Boston as he enjoys playing in Fenway Park, and it’s also an opportunity to reconnect with fans and family.
Aaron Boone Equals Major Milestone As Yankees Manager
While players shattering record is the new normal in MLB, it’s very rare that a manager gets appreciation for their tactical hard work behind the scenes. New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone broke the norm as he equalled Billy Martin’s record of 556 wins to enter an elite list of skippers.
Aaron Boone now ranks seventh in the loss of all-time high managerial wins for the Yankees. He joins Joe McCarthy, Joe Torre, Casey Stengel, Miller Huggins, Ralph Houk, and Joe Girardi in the list of most successful managers in franchise history. Indeed, Aaron Boone needed this surge the most since his job was on the line after the team failed to reach the postseason in 2023.
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