5 Red Sox on Thin Ice This Offseason

4. Alex Verdugo

Unlike the aforementioned player on this list, Alex Verdugo has proven that he's still an everyday MLB player. While he didn't have his best season in 2023, he still matched his career-high with 13 home runs while slashing .264/.324/.421 across 142 games, demonstrating above-average defensive play along the way, too.

So, why is Verdugo on thin ice?

His work ethic and discipline. The 27-year-old outfielder was benched twice during 2023 for disciplinary reasons — once for showing a lack of hustle and a second time for showing up late to Fenway Park before a game. While two incidents across a player's career don't always raise alarm bells, the fact that Verdugo's issues happened within two months of each other is concerning.

Even though Breslow is new in town, Alex Cora is still leading the Red Sox in 2024, meaning Verdugo doesn't have the luxury of a fresh start with a new manager. If the Tucson, AZ native can't figure out a way to get on the same page as Cora, these issues won't go away.

Considering how Boston was actively trying to move him before August's trade deadline, it's safe to say that Verdugo doesn't have much of a leash at this point.