Red Sox Nearly Swapped Star Outfielder For Yankees' Premier Pitcher

Photo: Instagram/Alex Verdugo

The Boston Red Sox generated significant buzz during the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline as they faced criticism for their limited activity in the market.

However, it has come to light that Boston was on the verge of making a noteworthy move, one that involved trading their star outfielder to none other than their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees.

Reports suggest that the Red Sox engaged in discussions about sending outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Yankees in exchange for starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt.

Photo: Instagram/Alex Verdugo

This potential trade was seen as a bold move considering Verdugo's popularity among fans. The 27-year-old outfielder had been a subject of trade rumors due to his contract expiring after the 2024 season and the Red Sox's hesitancy to commit to a long-term deal. 

Verdugo's performance in the 2023 season had been solid, with a batting average of .276, 54 extra-base hits, including 13 home runs, 54 RBIs, and an OPS of .781 in 128 games. His defensive prowess in right field further added to his value. 

In return, the Red Sox would have acquired Clarke Schmidt, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher under team control until 2027. Schmidt's 2023 season had seen him post a 4.54 ERA with an impressive 139-to-38 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .264 batting average against, and 140 2/3 innings pitched.

While the Red Sox had a pressing need for pitching, some analysts questioned the wisdom of adding Schmidt to their roster, as he appeared to be in a similar category as Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock, and Kutter Crawford—solid pitchers but not necessarily the standout ace they were seeking.

Ultimately, the potential trade between the Red Sox and Yankees was a tantalizing glimpse into what might have been a major deal, showcasing the complex dynamics of baseball's trade deadline.

Read Next: Red Sox Part Ways With Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom After Four Seasons

Source: Sports Illustrated 

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now

Liam Payne's Cause of Death Revealed In Preliminary Autopsy

Image
Photo: Liam Payne (Instagram) Liam Payne , former member of the boy band One Direction, passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  A preliminary autopsy has revealed that he died from severe injuries and both internal and external bleeding. Payne, 31, fell from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel balcony on Wednesday. He reportedly fell from about 43 to 46 feet onto an internal patio. According to authorities, Payne was alone at the time, and there is speculation that he may have been experiencing a drug-related incident. Photo: Liam Payne (Instagram) A hotel staff member had called emergency services before the fall, expressing concern about Payne's condition. They mentioned that he had taken drugs and alcohol, and they were worried he might harm himself. Payne rose to fame with One Direction in 2010 after the group formed on the TV show The X Factor . After the band split in 2015, Payne pursued a solo career, with his most popular song being "Strip Tha
Read More

Travis Kelce Predicts Criticism if Chiefs Lose, Mentions Taylor Swift

Image
Photo: Travis Kelce (Instagram) Travis Kelce , the star player for the Kansas City Chiefs, says he expects people to criticize him and Taylor Swift if his team loses a game. On his podcast "New Heights," Kelce shared his thoughts about the pressure that comes with being undefeated.  He said that if the Chiefs lose, people will come down hard on him. "I've just got to keep winning," he said. "If we lose a game, it’s going to rain down on me." The Chiefs are currently 5-0 and are set to play the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday, in a rematch of Super Bowl LVIII.  Despite some injuries, the team is doing well, and Kelce has faced some early criticism for a slow start . However, Pat McAfee, a former NFL player and podcast guest, praised Kelce and his relationship with Taylor Swift. McAfee said it was great for the sport and called Kelce a perfect example of how to represent the NFL. Photo: Travis Kelce (Instagram) Taylor Swift has been seen at three of the
Read More

Anthony Edwards Talks About Leadership And MVP Dreams

Image
Photo: Anthony Edwards (Instagram) Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards recently shared his thoughts on the leadership styles of NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant . Edwards, often compared to Jordan because of their similar playing style, has a different view on how to lead a team. In an interview with Chris Tucker for Interview Magazine , Edwards said leadership in today’s NBA has changed. "You can’t talk to everyone the same," Edwards explained. "Some players you can be tough on, but others need a softer approach. You can’t cuss everyone out in front of the team." Edwards has spoken before about how Jordan was the standout player of his era, which led to some reactions from NBA stars like Magic Johnson and Kevin Garnett . Photo: Anthony Edwards (Instagram) As the Timberwolves prepare for the new season, Edwards has his sights set on winning the MVP award. “For sure, no question, I’m going for MVP,” he told NBA TV. “I’ve got a great team and coac
Read More

Former One Direction Singer Liam Payne Dead at 31 After Fall In Argentina

Image
Photo: Liam Payne (Instagram) Liam Payne, former member of the boy band One Direction, has died at the age of 31. Payne was found dead at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from his balcony, according to local officials. Police responded to an emergency call about a man behaving aggressively, possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Shortly after they arrived, Payne was found in the hotel courtyard, having fallen from a height of about 42 to 45 feet. Emergency services confirmed his death shortly after 5 p.m. Alberto Crescenti, head of Argentina’s emergency medical services, said the injuries were severe and could not be survived. Authorities are investigating the circumstances, including whether Payne’s fall was accidental or intentional. Photo: Liam Payne (Instagram) Payne had been in Argentina recently, supporting his former bandmate Niall Horan at a concert. He leaves behind a 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole. Li
Read More

Katy Perry's Career Struggles: Is Orlando Bloom To Blame?

Image
Photo: Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom (Instagram) Katy Perry's recent attempt to return to the top of the music charts has not gone as planned. According to insiders, her husband, actor Orlando Bloom, may have played a part in the setback. Perry, 39, has faced criticism for her latest album 143 , which was released on September 20. Fans and critics alike have been underwhelmed by both the album and her performances. A source told Life & Style  magazine that Perry's decision to focus more on her sex appeal was encouraged by Bloom, but it hasn't worked out as hoped. "Katy's fans expected more from her, and this album didn’t deliver," the source shared. "Orlando thought it was a good idea, but now Katy is dealing with negative reviews and a lack of excitement from her fans." Photo: Katy Perry (Instagram) The album’s lead single, Woman’s World , failed to make a big impact, peaking at No. 63 on the Billboard charts. Perry, who once dominated the pop world
Read More

LeBron James On Playing With Steph Curry: Will They Team Up Again?

Image
Photo: Stephen Curry, LeBron James (Instagram) LeBron James , star of the Los Angeles Lakers, recently shared his thoughts on playing alongside Stephen Curry . The two NBA greats teamed up earlier this year during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as part of Team USA, helping lead the team to a gold medal . It was the first time they had played on the same team in their careers. This week, James and Curry will face each other again, but this time as rivals. The Lakers and Golden State Warriors will play two preseason games — one on Tuesday at the Crypto.com Arena and another on Friday at the Chase Center. James and Curry have a long history, having faced each other in the NBA Finals for four straight years when James played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Curry's Warriors won three of those matchups, while James and the Cavaliers claimed one victory. Photo: Stephen Curry, LeBron James (Instagram) Over the years, their relationship has grown from rivals to friends, with James even acting as
Read More

Beterbiev Ordered To Face IBF Mandatory Challenger

Image
Photo: Artur Beterbiev (Instagram) Artur Beterbiev has been told he must defend his IBF light-heavyweight title against his mandatory challenger. This announcement comes just one day after Dmitry Bivol asked for an immediate rematch with Beterbiev. Beterbiev, 39, became the first boxer to hold all four major belts in the light-heavyweight division after winning a close fight against Bivol on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The judges scored the match 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in favor of Beterbiev, a decision that has faced criticism from Bivol's promoter, Eddie Hearn, and manager, Vadim Kornilov. Bivol, 33, has formally requested the support of the WBO, WBA, IBF, and WBC to help him secure a rematch. However, the IBF has now ordered Beterbiev to start negotiations with German fighter Michael Eifert, who is the mandatory challenger. Photo: Artur Beterbiev (Instagram) This does not mean a rematch is off the table. The IBF has stated that Beterbiev can ask for an exception to f
Read More

Joker Sequel Drops $33M at Box Office

Image
Photo: Lady Gaga (Instagram) The movie Joker: Folie à Deux  had a tough second weekend at the North American box office, with earnings falling from $40 million to just $7.1 million. That’s an 80% drop, a record for a comic-book movie. The sequel was beaten by Terrifier 3 , an indie horror film, which made $18.2 million. In second place was the animated movie The Wild Robot  with $13.4 million. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice  dropped to fourth with $7 million. Critics have mixed feelings about Joker: Folie à Deux , starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga . Some call it "bleak and daring," while others say it’s "depressingly dull." Photo: Lady Gaga (Instagram) In fifth place was Piece by Piece , a comedy-drama made with Lego animation. It features voices from stars like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani. Meanwhile, The Apprentice , a film about Donald Trump , opened in tenth place with $1.6 million. It tells the story of Trump’s early years as a property developer in New Y
Read More

LeBron James’ Former Teammate Reveals Why He Nicknamed Him 'Heaven Sent'

Image
Photo: LeBron James (Instagram) In a recent episode of the "All the Smoke" podcast, former NBA player Mateen Cleaves shared how he came up with the nickname “Heaven Sent” for LeBron James . Cleaves explained that he thought of the name after watching LeBron play during his rookie season. When asked about LeBron's first year, Cleaves said, "It was different. I gave him the nickname Heaven Sent because he was so good right from the start. I thought, 'He can't be that good.' But then, practicing with him, I realized he was the real deal. He had an amazing feel for the game and could do anything he wanted on the court." Cleaves played in the NBA for six seasons, including one year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he saw LeBron shine. While many basketball stars take years to reach their peak, LeBron made an immediate impact. Standing 6'9" and coming out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, he drew comparisons to legends like Magic Johnson an
Read More

UK Government Helped Secure Police Escort For Taylor Swift After Her Mom's Worries

Image
Photo: Taylor Swift (Instagram) Taylor Swift ’s police escort during her concerts in London this summer was approved after the UK government got involved, according to a report by The Times of London . Swift performed at Wembley Stadium as part of her record-breaking "Eras Tour." It was revealed that UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan pushed the police to provide extra protection for the singer, which was funded by taxpayers. Normally, such high-level security is only given to top government officials or the royal family.  Photo: Taylor Swift (Instagram) However, after Swift’s mother, Andrea, threatened to cancel her London shows, the government stepped in. Andrea was concerned after a suicide bomb plot caused the cancellation of Swift’s concert in Vienna. Reports suggest that cancelling the London shows would have been a big financial loss, as Swift’s tour reportedly boosted UK spending by nearly £1 billion. Read Next: Joker Sequel Drops $33M at Box
Read More