Looking to end their World Series drought, the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price prior to the 2020 season.
Because Betts was one year away from potentially reaching free agency, L.A. gave up just three players in the deal while also taking on half of Price’s remaining salary. The only Major League player Boston received was Alex Verdugo, who spent parts of three seasons in L.A.
The 24-year-old was once considered a big part of the Dodgers’ future but will now look to help the Red Sox usher in a new era of winning baseball. He posted a career-high .844 on-base plus slugging in 53 games last season, leading the team with 2.2 WAR.
The Red Sox, however, finished last in the American League East with a 24-36 record. This gave Verdugo the opportunity to watch his old team shine in the postseason en route to winning the World Series for the first time since 1988.
Verdugo was happy to see his former teammates get past the finish line but noted he wants to be in that position someday, via Ian Browne of MLB.com:
“I mean, I’m happy for the guys. You know what I mean? It’s a bittersweet moment, because at the same time, I want that ring,” Verdugo said. “I want to be a champion.”
In Verdugo’s three seasons with the Dodgers, the club advanced to the postseason every time, making it to National League Championship Series twice and World Series once. Though he didn’t get any playoff at-bats, he is motivated to guide the Red Sox to that stage as soon as possible.
Boston faces an uphill climb at making the postseason this season, playing in a tough division that includes the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays. That said, the club could surprise some after retooling their roster over the offseason.
Verdugo excited to be teammates with Kiké Hernandez again
Among the moves the Red Sox made over the winter was signing former Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernandez to a two-year contract. Verdugo naturally was excited by the news, and so too was Cody Bellinger despite no longer being teammates with Hernandez.
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