Red Sox's Alex Verdugo Gives Update On Extension Talks, Possibility Of Being Traded

Boston is running out of time to keep him long-term

Scott Neville | Sep 7, 2023

Red Sox's Alex Verdugo Gives Update On Extension Talks, Possibility Of Being Traded /

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have a polarizing decision to make regarding a member of their core in the coming months.

Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo is only under contract for one more season and there are strong arguments for either side of the argument regarding a potential extension.

Verdugo revealed that there have been no extension talks thus far and understands that his days in Boston could be numbered.

“We’ve waited this long and I only have one more year of arbitration before I’m a free agent," Verdugo told WEEI's Rob Bradford on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. "So, next year I think will be a big thing. "We’ll see what happens at the trade deadline. I think there’s a lot of variables that are up for next year. For me, I’m just going to be proud and happy wearing the Red Sox uniform as long as I can. And hopefully that time is not coming to an end soon.”

The 27-year-old is hitting .278 with 52 extra-base hits including 13 home runs, 53 RBIs and a .790 OPS in 124 games this season. Verdugo's 110 OPS+ paired with excellent defense make him a key piece of the roster.

Normally, that level of production would feel replaceable but Boston's top sluggers -- Rafael Devers, Justin Turner, Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida -- are all poor defenders. The Red Sox need players who can contribute on both sides of the diamond, such as Verdugo.

There have, however, been some minor issues for Verdugo this season. He's been benched for not hustling and showing up late this season. While some have questioned his maturity, he's far from a clubhouse cancer. Those issues were blown out of proportion and should not affect the Red Sox's decision to pay the man.

If Boston does not engage with Verdugo about an extension by spring training, we'll have a pretty good idea of where they stand.

Verdugo appears ready for all scenarios to play out. He made his desire to stay clear but acknowledged the possibilities of being either traded or having to move on in free agency next winter.

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Published Sep 7, 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