The New York Yankees trade for outfielder Alex Verdugo may not be the biggest move of the offseason, but it has already re-ignited the rivalry with the Boston Red Sox. Verdugo spent the past four seasons with the Red Sox, but Boston traded him to New York after an up-and-down season in which Verdugo was benched multiple times.
Verdugo spoke with New York media for the first time since the trade on Thursday, and the outfielder explained that he is excited to play for new manager Aaron Boone, seeming to take a shot at Red Sox manager Alex Cora in the process.
“I’m very, very excited to work with Aaron, I’ve seen the way he has his players’ backs,” Verdugo said. “That’s something I want to see out of my head coach. I want to see some fire, some fight for the guys, and I think just instead of airing people out, have their backs.”
