New York Yankees Acquire Star Slugger From Red Sox in Surprise Deal

The New York Yankees have acquired this star slugger from the Boston Red Sox in a surprise deal.

NASHVILLE - Two hated AL East rivals doing business with each other. 

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have made a trade, which is only the seventh time in the last 50 years.

The Yankees are acquiring left-handed hitting outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox in exchange for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert and Nicholas Judice.

ESPN insider Jeff Passan was the first to report this news.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman previously said last month that the team was looking to add two lefty hitting outfielders. Now they have one in Verdugo.

Verdugo, most notably, was the center piece in the trade that saw the Red Sox send superstar Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2020.

Since joining the Red Sox, Verdugo has been solid, slashing .281/.338/.424 with a .761 OPS. However, the 27-year-old does not showcase much power (43 home runs in three seasons and 60 games), but that could change with the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.

Per multiple reports, the Yankees are still in on superstar left-handed hitting outfielder Juan Soto, who they have been speaking with the San Diego Padres about a potential trade. 

Acquiring Verdugo is a good start for Cashman and co., but it doesn't sound like the Yankees are finished.