Thursday night former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo spoke to reporters for the first time since being traded to the New York Yankees, and during his remarks he took a swipe at his former manager Alex Cora.
Verdugo expressed his excitement about working with Aaron Boone, the new manager of the Yankees. He admired Boone’s support for his players and his fiery attitude towards umpires. Verdugo believes that having a coach who stands up for his team is important.
However, these comments didn’t sit well with many in Boston, especially former Red Sox player Jonathan Papelbon. In a profanity-laced tweet, Papelbon criticized Verdugo, calling him lazy and a poor teammate.
It seems that Verdugo’s comments were related to his experiences with former Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who had publicly challenged him to improve. Despite their differences, Cora wished Verdugo well in his new team.
While it’s not surprising that Verdugo’s remarks received backlash in Boston, Papelbon’s strong response is notable considering his history with the organization.
Earlier this week, Papelbon was announced as one of the newest additions to the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Alongside fellow inductees Trot Nixon, Dustin Pedroia, and longtime executive Elaine Steward, he will be honored at Fenway Park on May 29. Since 2021, he has also been a part of NESN’s pre- and post-game shows, where he never hesitates to speak his mind.
Verdugo’s first encounter with the Red Sox as a member of the Yankees will take place on March 13 during spring training. Their first regular season face-off will be at Fenway Park on the weekend of June 14-16. It will certainly be intriguing to hear what Verdugo has to say about Cora, Papelbon, or the Red Sox in general at that point.