Red Sox Rumors: Triston Casas trade, Alex Verdugo extension, shortstop answer

Red Sox Rumors: Alex Verdugo ‘open’ to extension in Boston

Early in June, Alex Verdugo was benched by Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. The reasoning was said to be a lack of hustle and effort on the part of the outfielder who was the centerpiece of the divisive Mookie Betts trade with the Dodgers.

He’s been red-hot since that time, though. Over his last seven days, Verdugo is hitting .462 with a 1.231 OPS with six extra-base hits, one RBI, one walk and only one strikeout over 27 plate appearances for Boston’s right field. On the whole, he’s been phenomenal for the Red Sox in the 2023 season with a .301/.374/.462 slash linewith 32 extra-base hits and 31 RBI on the season.

With just one year of club control remaining on his contract, though, the question is now becoming  what Verdugo’s long-term future will be. If you ask Verdugo, though, he wants to stay in Boston as extension talks will come to the forefront.

Speaking with Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Verdugo didn’t sound like he’ll be rushing anything, but he reiterated that he loves Boston and wants to stay within this organization.

"“All in good time. It will happen when it happens,” said Verdugo. “I’m all ears. I do love Boston. I’ve been saying it for many years. I’ve really been able to come into my own in this organization. I like it a lot.”"

Red Sox fans, however, have some scar tissue in this type of circumstance. Whether it was Betts or Xander Bogaerts, the Chaim Bloom regime has watched homegrown stars leave in free agency after extension talks were unfruitful and, at times, insulting to the players involved.

Over the next few months, extension talks with Verdugo are sure to start ramping up a bit. Having said that, it’ll be a tense time for Red Sox fans as they hope that another player — particularly one who was the key part of trading away a favorite of the fan base in Betts — doesn’t leave for nothing once again.