12 Former Red Sox Available in Free Agency
By Ryan Bunton
3. Alex Verdugo
Whatever the opposite of a fan favorite is, that is probably the best way to describe Alex Verdugo's time with the Boston Red Sox.
Verdugo arrived in Boston with an immense amount of weight on his shoulders. The outfielder was acquired along with Jeter Downs and Connor Wong from the Dodgers in exchange for superstar Mookie Betts and David Price. Needless to say, that trade has not aged well for the Red Sox.
In four seasons in Boston, Verdugo hit .281/.338/.424 with 43 home runs and 206 home runs. His numbers weren't terrible with the Red Sox, but due to multiple attitude incidents in 2023 and with free agency on the horizon, Verdugo was shipped to the archrival New York Yankees on Dec. 5, 2023.
Arguably, Verdugo's greatest contribution to Red Sox Nation was striking out to end the 2024 World Series – putting the final nail in the coffin in the championship hopes of the Yankees.
THE MOMENT THE DODGERS WON THEIR EIGHTH WORLD SERIES TITLE 🏆 pic.twitter.com/prW3gA4gJU
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2024
In 149 games for New York in 2024, Verdugo slashed .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI. The 28-year-old has been linked to the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners – as well as a potential return to the Yankees.