Alex Verdugo, an OF, is acquired by the Yankees from the Red Sox in return for pitching prospects.

Alex Verdugo, an OF, is acquired by the Yankees from the Red Sox in return for pitching prospects.

Pitching prospects Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, plus Nicholas Judice were traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, the organizations announced on Tuesday.

It is anticipated that the 27-year-old would receive about $9 million in his last season of arbitration.

He played a total of seven seasons in the majors, the first three with the Dodgers, before being dealt in the trade that brought Mookie Betts to Los Angeles.

On Tuesday night, the Yankees acquired fielder Alex Verdugo off the Boston Red Sox. This is just the seventh trade between the two teams since the Divisional Era began in 1969, and New York is looking to the 27-year-old to boost its offense.

Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice were the right-handers acquired by the Red Sox in the trade. Even after acquiring Verdugo, the team is still pursuing Soto, according to Andy Martino of SNY.

After joining the Red Sox as the primary returner in the trade that sent star outfielder Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Verdugo played for the team for the final four seasons.

In 142 games this season, Verdugo, who is expected to earn approximately $9 million in his last season of arbitration, hit.264/.324/.421 including 13 home runs and 54 RBIs.

Verdugo was placed on the market for trade by Boston because he was due to become a free agent following the 2024 season.

Several clubs expressed interest in signing him, but the Yankees were able to acquire him and put him in the outfield.

The Yankees have attempted to retool their attack this offseason after finishing 25th is Major League Baseball in runs scored during the regular season.

In 142 games during the previous season, Verdugo hit.264/.324/.421 including 13 home runs and 54 RBIs for Boston.

According to sources who spoke to ESPN, they have been in trade talks with the San Diego Padres over star outfielder Juan Soto.

They may still go after him as they start the season with only Verdugo, star Aaron Judge, as well as Giancarlo Stanton—who is most likely to be New York’s designated hitter—as their reliable outfield options.

On New York’s 40-man roster, there are also prospects Estevan Florial and Everson Pereira who can play outfield, utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera, Oscar Gonzalez, who was recently claimed off waivers, and centerfielder Jasson Dominguez, that is expected to miss a large chunk of the season due to Tommy John surgery.

Verdugo batted and was a regular above-league hitter in Boston, while never breaking out as a star.

In 493 games with the Red Sox, he batted 281/.338/.424 plus 43 home runs and 206 RBIs, mostly playing corner outfield positions with a little centerfield action.

During the winter meetings on Tuesday, the Yankees and Red Sox reached an agreement on a trade that will send outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Bronx, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Three right-handed pitching prospects—Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts, and Nicholas Judice—will be acquired by Boston in return. Dealings between New York and its bitter rivals are uncommon.

The Yankees and Red Sox have not traded since Boston acquired Adam Ottavino in 2021. The teams hadn’t traded before that, not since 2014.

Star Juan Soto of the Padres has developed close ties with New York during the offseason. Similar to Soto, Verdugo is an outfielder who bats left-handed, a skill that Brian Cashman identified as being lacking for the Yankees.

Verdugo hit.264/.324/.421 with 13 home runs as well as 54 RBI in 142 games during his last season with Boston. In 2023, he only played right field, but he also has a ton of left field experience.