NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – According to ESPN, the New York Yankees acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a package of prospects, with the Yankees turning to the 27-year-old to improve their offense in only the seventh trade between the rivals in the last half-century.
In the deal, the Red Sox receive right-handers Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice.
Verdugo joined the Red Sox as the main return in the trade that sent star outfielder Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers four seasons ago.
Verdugo, who is set to earn around $9 million in his final season of arbitration, hit.264/.324/.421 in 142 games this year, with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs. With Verdugo set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, the Red Sox placed him on the trade market, and while several teams inquired about his availability, the Yankees landed him to start in the outfield.
Following a season in which they finished 25th in Major League Baseball in terms of runs scored, the Yankees have attempted to retool their offense this winter. According to ESPN, they have been in trade talks with the San Diego Padres for star outfielder Juan Soto and could still pursue him as they enter the season with a limited number of proven outfielders.
Aside from Verdugo, star Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are the most likely candidates to fill New York’s designated hitter role.
Prospects Estevan Florial and Everson Pereira, utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera, recent waiver pickup Oscar Gonzalez, and centerfielder Jasson Dominguez, who is expected to miss a significant portion of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, are among those on New York’s 40-man roster who can play outfield.
While Verdugo never developed into a star in Boston, he was an above-average hitter who batted.In 493 games with the Red Sox, he hit 281/.338/.424 with 43 home runs and 206 RBIs while mostly playing corner outfield and dabbling in centerfield.
Verdugo was dealt by new Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow from a crowded outfield that includes Masataka Yoshida, Jarrod Duran, Rob Refsnyder, and a pair of rookies this season, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. Roman Anthony, Boston’s best prospect, reached Double-A this year and is regarded as a potential star after hitting.This year, he hit 272/.403/.466 with 14 home runs and 64 RBIs in three levels of the minor leagues.
Fitts, 23, was a sixth-round pick out of Auburn in 2021 and has excelled in two minor league seasons. This season at Double-A, the righty struck out 163 batters and walked 43 in 152.2 innings while allowing 22 home runs.
Fitts projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter for a team with limited minor league starting pitching depth, with a high-carry fastball that sits around 93 mph and reaches 97, as well as a sweeper, cutter, and changeup.
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