NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Yankees made a commerce for a lefty-hitting outfielder, however not that one. They used three pitchers — Richard Fitts, Nicholas Judice and Greg Weissert — to land Alex Verdugo from the Pink Sox.
That doesn’t preclude the Yankees from nonetheless touchdown their foremost goal, Juan Soto. Actually, they have been re-engaged with the Padres to attempt to acquire the star outfielder. What are the connections between Verdugo and Soto:
1. The Pink Sox and Padres talked about Verdugo throughout final season. So it’s doable that the outfielder could possibly be spun to San Diego as a bit of a Soto deal and a participant who was as soon as the important thing cog Boston obtained within the Mookie Betts commerce might develop into the a lot cheaper alternative for an additional star outfielder. Soto is due about $33 million for the cost-cutting Padres. Verdugo is due about $9 million.
2. However it’s in all probability extra possible he stays with the Yankees, who tried significantly more durable to land Verdugo up to now from Boston. Fitts, who MLB.com had because the Yankees’ 12th-best prospect, had lengthy been a participant of curiosity for the Pink Sox.
3. Verdugo has not performed heart with any regularity since 2021 and solely has 85 begins there in his profession. He in all probability can deal with the place. However he’s seen as an above-average nook outfielder. If the Yankees acquire Soto, my intestine says particularly at Yankee Stadium, they might play the defensively challenged Soto in proper, Verdugo within the robust left discipline and Aaron Decide in heart.
4. The Pink Sox didn’t commerce Verdugo as a wage dump or as a result of they’re overloaded with outfielders — children Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Jarren Duran at the moment are the projected starters. Verdugo was clearly not a favourite of influential Boston supervisor Alex Cora, who amongst different issues pulled him from a sport final season for not hustling. There are maturity questions. However even Verdugo’s detractors say he likes to play.
5. The Yankees not solely need to get two lefty-hitting outfielders, however wish to additionally get gamers who restrict strikeouts and are sturdy. Verdugo and Soto are two of 23 gamers with 600-plus plate appearances in every of the final three seasons. Verdugo is 11th (amongst gamers with 1,500 plate appearances during the last three years) in lowest strikeout share (14.9). Soto is 18th at 15.7