Atlanta Braves a possible trade target for Red Sox right fielder
Alex Verdugo's name continues to be red hot in the trade market this offseason
The Atlanta Braves have been clearing roster spots this offseason and money in the hopes of adding top talent to an already deep roster.
The Braves were close to landing Phillies free agent righty Aaron Nola before he returned to Philadelphia on a seven-year, $172 million deal.
Since losing out on Nola, Atlanta has added right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez in free agency, various relievers through trades and could be targeting Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo, per The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
"Trade targets: Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber, Tyler Glasnow, Anthony Santander, Max Kepler, and Alex Verdugo," Bowden wrote in The Athletic on Friday. "The Braves were the best team in baseball during the regular season and can mostly 'run it back' next year, besides the rotation and left field. They have focused on adding a significant starting pitcher, bullpen depth, and left-field upgrades since the offseason started. The Braves have cleared roster space and added payroll flexibility, and it's expected they'll make a huge splash sooner rather than later."
Verdugo’s name has been floated around since before the trade deadline in August as a potential player to have a new home for the 2024 season. The left-handed hitting outfielder is in the final year of his contract with the Red Sox and will be a free agent next offseason.
The Red Sox and Yankees talked about a potential Verdugo swap at the deadline, right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt’s name came up as a potential return in the trade. Boston has also been linked to Yankees’ second baseman Gleyber Torres, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan has thrown cold water on him being a match in a Verdugo trade.
"The Red Sox have been shopping Verdugo, looking for a second baseman or starting pitching in return," Bowden said. "I've been told they have not received any offers to their liking. The best return will come if he's packaged with other players in a much bigger deal."
Verdugo is projected to earn $9.2 million in 2024, an increase over the $6.3 million earned last season, per MLB Trade Rumors.
The Red Sox have seemingly balked at the idea the last few seasons on offering the Arizona native an extension. Verudgo has had run-ins with Alex Cora, being benched twice this year for various disciplinary reasons.
New chief baseball officer Craig Breslow spoke with the media at the GM Meetings and he was asked where things stood with Verdugo.
“His fit is as an everyday right fielder, who’s playing Gold Glove-caliber defense and can impact the ball on the offensive side as well,” said Breslow. “We’ve had some conversations with him. It feels like he’s committed to performing as best as he possibly can. Obviously, he’s a guy that other teams have kind of reached out on, given the situation. But I don’t think we’re in a position to commit to anything.
“We have to look at every opportunity and every interaction with another club or with agent as a chance to make the team better and where that lands, we’ll see.”
It’s becoming increasingly likely that Boston will move the 27-year-old this winter. The challenge for the Red Sox is finding the proper return for him, a player in his walk year.
Boston could trade for a similar type player, maybe someone in a different position that needs a change of scenery. If that’s something the Sox are looking to do, that should be the last straw, if they’re not able to find the right dance partner in a trade.
Breslow will need to find a right-handed hitting outfielder to balance the lefties the roster is loaded with at the moment. Bringing back Adam Duvall and platooning him with Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu is an option, but it doesn’t move the needle much. Boston would like to see Abreu and Rafaela get more at-bats in the majors next season. Rafaela is a candidate to play second base if the Red Sox elect to not add to the position.
Atlanta is loaded with young controllable starting pitching prospects. Potentially Breslow could acquire one or two of the Braves top-30 prospects, but again, Verdugo’s walk year will make any return different versus if he had longer term.
Whatever happens in the coming weeks, Breslow has options and tradable assets to improve the club for next season and beyond. Verdugo is a prime change of scenery candidate and team’s are interested.
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