The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox made a rare trade on Tuesday, with the Yankees acquiring outfielder Alex Verdugo from their longtime rivals. In exchange for the 27-year-old left-handed hitter, the Red Sox received three right-handed pitchers: Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice.
The trade comes as the Yankees search for a left-handed bat to bolster their lineup, with General Manager Brian Cashman stating that he is looking to add two outfielders, preferably left-handed hitters, to join Aaron Judge.
Verdugo spent the past four seasons in Boston and is coming off a 2023 campaign where he batted .264 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs. Over his seven-year career with the Dodgers and Red Sox, Verdugo has compiled a .281 batting average with 57 home runs and 255 RBIs. The Yankees are hoping that his addition will help improve an offense that struggled last season, particularly during a two-month stretch when Judge was injured.
In addition to his offensive capabilities, Verdugo is also a Gold Glove finalist, known for his strong play in the outfield. He has experience playing in right, left, and center field, providing versatility for the Yankees’ lineup.
The trade marks only the eighth trade between the Yankees and Red Sox in the Divisional Era, with Cashman previously expressing his belief that deals with Boston were largely forbidden. However, this move follows an earlier deal between the two teams, which saw outfielder Greg Allen go to the Yankees in exchange for right-hander Diego Hernandez and cash considerations.
The acquisition of Verdugo represents a bold move for the Yankees as they look to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.