Red Sox Fan-Favorite Outfielder Surprisingly Placed On Trade Block

Boston could really shake things up at the deadline

Scott Neville | Jul 31, 2023

Red Sox Fan-Favorite Outfielder Surprisingly Placed On Trade Block /

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are fast approaching Tuesday's Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and reportedly are considering a notable roster shakeup.

Many assumed that the only players in jeopardy of being traded were impending free agents and prospects. Apparently, one more player has been added to the list, and it's a big name.

"The Red Sox have expressed to other clubs that they’re willing to listen to offers for outfielder Alex Verdugo ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, multiple sources told MassLive," Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam published Sunday. "A source with another American League team confirmed the Sox inquired as to whether Verdugo would be of interest to them."

It's one thing to listen to offers on a player, that would not sound alarms. However, according to this report, Verdugo is being shopped around. The Red Sox are actively gauging other teams' interest in their core player.

Verdugo is hitting .272 with 38 extra-base hits, seven home runs, 39 RBIs and a .769 OPS (105 OPS+) in 94 games this season. He also ranks in the 94th percentile for arm strength, 84th percentile for outfielder jump and 62nd percentile in outs above average -- in the hardest right field to play in the big leagues.

There are not many above-average offensive and defensive players floating around, especially at only 27 years old. Throw in his consistent ability to hit in the clutch and the fact that he appears to be the perfect fit for the city and clubhouse. That typically results in a second contract as a core player to build around.

Verdugo is under contract through 2024 and the team has not engaged in any negotiations to extend him.

While his trade market likely is high and the return could be notable, it seems hard to believe that the Red Sox could benefit from trading away Verdugo. That does not appear to be a wise move for the present or future of the organization.

More MLB: Red Sox Star Pitcher Takes Hard Stance On Whether He Wants To Be Traded

Published Jul 31, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu