Should The Red Sox Trade Alex Verdugo?
Just a few days ago I wrote my 2023 MLB Trade Deadline preview for the Red Sox. I did not have a possible trade of Alex Verdugo on my bingo card. Apparently, it’s something that Boston is considering heading into the deadline. Verdugo is a free agent after the 2024 MLB Season so now could be the time to sell.
“SAN FRANCISCO — The Red Sox have expressed to other clubs that they’re willing to listen to offers for outfielder Alex Verdugo ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, multiple sources told MassLive. A source with another American League team confirmed the Sox inquired as to whether Verdugo would be of interest to them.”
Trading Verdugo does make some sense. Jarren Duran and Masataka Yoshida have both flourished in 2023. Prized prospect Ceddanne Rafaela is knocking on the doorstep toward contributing to the MLB team. If the starting outfield is set for 2024, maybe you sell Verdugo before you have to worry about paying him.
Verdugo, 27, will also earn a sizeable raise via arbitration from his $6.3 million salary for 2023. Trading Verdugo needs to be about the 2024 team. If the starting outfield is taken care of, maybe you can flip Verdugo for a couple of arms that can help you down the road.
For the 2023 season, Alex Verdugo is slashing .272/.345/.769 with seven homers. The lack of power is really what holds Verdugo back from being an All-Star player. It’s really all about the return here. If the return makes sense, dealing Verdugo makes a lot of sense. It just can’t be a light return because we’re still talking about a guy that was the headliner of the Mookie Betts trade.
