MLB Rumors: Juan Soto extension, Red Sox star’s future, and Cubs benching
By Kristen Wong
MLB Rumors: Red Sox ‘unlikely’ to keep Alex Verdugo long term
Red Sox slugger Alex Verdugo may not be in Boston for long.
The star outfielder didn’t get dealt at the August 1 deadline likely due to a lack of fair return packages — the Red Sox weren’t about to let him leave for pennies.
But given recent rumors, if you were to ask Alex Cora and the Red Sox whether Verdugo was considered a cornerstone piece in the franchise’s long-term plans, Cora may not have to think so hard about that one. In 2023, Verdugo has become an inconsistent liability in the batting rotation, and it may be better for everyone involved to part ways.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote of Verdugo’s future:
"Verdugo is entering his final year of arbitration, the same point at which the Sox traded Betts and Hunter Renfroe. While few better hitters will be available in free agency, it’s highly doubtful the organization will commit to Verdugo long-term. If the Sox had just cut the cord and moved forward, they at least would have avoided this latest dustup."
Verdugo was recently scratched from the starting lineup this weekend due to a reason Cora wouldn’t reveal, but it didn’t appear to be health-related. This was hardly the first time Verdugo faced some sort of disciplinary action, having been benched in the past for his lack of hustle and disappointing baserunning.
Verdugo, part of the infamous Mookie Betts trade with the Dodgers three years ago, will probably stay in Boston for the rest of the 2023 season, but as Rosenthal stated, his long-term future is in serious question.