Was Boston Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo Taking a Shot at Mariners OF Julio Rodriguez or O's OF Austin Hays?

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo is not happy that he didn't get chosen for the All-Star Game, but did he throw shade at Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez?

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo is not happy that he didn't get chosen for the All-Star Game. He wasn't voted in, selected as a reserve, nor chosen as a replacement for injured players.

Verdugo expressed his disappointment in an interview with Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe:

"I just feel like it's a fan popularity contest. And, like, the person who went in shouldn't be there."

Alex Verdugo is NOT happy after getting snubbed from this year's All-Star game. 😬 https://t.co/HeWXhCkwJU pic.twitter.com/TaknObQzJZ

— theScore (@theScore) July 7, 2023

Verdugo didn't say specifically who he feels isn't deserving but it's fair to wonder if it's Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, who was put in the game as a replacement for the injured Yordan Alvarez.

Rodriguez, who won the Rookie of the Year in the American League in 2022, isn't having as good a season this year. He's hitting .251 with 13 homers, 47 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Also, the game is being held in Seattle, so it's fair to wonder if Rodriguez was just put on the team as a way to appease the local crowd.

We don't know for sure but Mike Trout, Aaron Judge and Randy Arozarena, who were voted in as starters, all certainly seem deserving. Adolis Garcia and Luis Robert, who are reserves, do as well. Kyle Tucker was put in as a replacement and is hitting .293 with 55 RBI, which seems deserving too.

The only people left that Verdugo could be talking about are Rodriguez, and Austin Hays of the Baltimore Orioles. Hays is hitting .312 but has just eight homers and 34 RBI.

For what it's worth, Verdugo is hitting .284 this year with six homers, 35 RBI and two stolen bases. He's also playing a very good right field.

The All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 11.

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