Following a disappointing 2023 season, the Boston Red Sox are expected to make several changes to bolster the club heading into next year.
As it turns out, one of the team’s fan favorites, outfielder Alex Verdugo, could find himself wearing a different uniform next season.
The speculation about Verdugo’s future with the Red Sox comes as the team contemplates roster changes to improve its chances of getting back on track.
According to reports from The Athletic’s Chad Jennings, Verdugo may be among the casualties of these potential alterations.
“It’s been four years of Verdugo in the Red Sox outfield, and his yearly wRC+ has been trending in the wrong direction season-by-season (from 125 in 2020 to 98 this year),” Jennings pointed out.
“Next year is his final season of team control, meaning he’ll be owed one last arbitration raise from the $6.3 million he made this season.”
Verdugo’s declining performance and the emergence of other left-handed outfielders in the Red Sox’s ranks, notably Wilyer Abreu, have raised questions about his future with the team.
Additionally, reports suggest a strained relationship between Verdugo and manager Alex Cora, with disciplinary issues surfacing during the 2023 season.
“The Red Sox are relatively deep in left-handed outfielders … and Verdugo has a shaky relationship with manager Alex Cora,” Jennings noted.
“He seems an obvious trade candidate, but is that just a possibility to consider, or is Verdugo on his way out no matter what?”
Alex Verdugo’s wRC+ throughout his Red Sox career:
2020 – 125
2021 – 106
2022 – 102
2023 – 101He’s slashed .231/.276/.380/.655 since the All-Star break. Good for a 71 wRC+. pic.twitter.com/WrK3oGdzEr
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) September 28, 2023
This isn’t the first time Verdugo’s name has come up in trade discussions. He was subject to trade rumors around this past trade deadline but ultimately remained with the Red Sox.
However, his performance took a nosedive in the second half of the season, making his future with the team even more uncertain.
The Red Sox are expected to prioritize pitching during the upcoming offseason, and trading a player like Verdugo could be a strategic move to secure a valuable addition to their pitching staff.
While Verdugo displayed All-Star potential in the first half of the season, his inconsistent performance afterward has cast doubts on his long-term fit with the team.
Should the Sox trade Verdugo?
What needs to be done in Boston this offseason?