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5 Former Red Sox Still Playing in World Series While Boston Sits at Home

The World Series begins on Friday and several former Red Sox players will be playing. Who are they?

By Aidan Leonard

Jun 8, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo (24) dives safely in to second base beating the tag by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Jun 8, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo (24) dives safely in to second base beating the tag by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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1. Mookie Betts

The one that still haunts fans the most and may be one of the worst trades in the history of sports. Occurring on Feb. 10, 2020, the Red Sox sent pitcher David Price alongside Betts for Alex Verdugo (NYY), Jeter Downs (playing in Japan), and Connor Wong. Not to continue to rehash this trade, which could be done on a daily basis since it was that bad, but be prepared to hear a lot of references to this trade on the broadcast with the amount of former Red Sox on the diamond.

In this postseason, the Tennessee native has 13 hits on 44 plate appearances, with four of those being home runs. Now playing in his third World Series, 2018 with Boston and 2020 with the Dodgers, the right fielder is just one of the many dangerous batters in the fierce LAD lineup. Sliding second behind Ohtani, Betts continues to be one of the faces of the league and will be on center stage once again. Repping the classic Dodger blue as Red Sox fans are still left in shock wondering why he was traded in the first place, but also how the team got fleeced in return.  

2. Alex Verdugo

Still strange to me without the iconic red beard, Verdugo has found a nice role with the Yankees. Batting .233 with 13 homers in the regular season, Verdugo, as noted above, came to the Red Sox as a way of the Betts trade. In his 31 plate appearances this postseason, Verdugo has six hits.

On Dec. 5, 2023, the two huge rivals made a rare trade with each other. As Boston dealt Verdugo in return for three pitching prospects: RHP Richard Fitts, RHP Greg Weissert, and RHP Nicholas Judice. Not nearly as productive as the sixth-time gold glove winner Betts in the outfield, Verdugo was a solid everyday ballplayer for Alex Cora’ club. Some may argue it was time for his departure, but sending him to the Yankees only for him to make it all the way to the World Series does make it sting a little more. Hindsight is always 20/20 and maybe the trade will be worth it, but for now, it’s another former Red Sox outfielder playing for a new team in October. 

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