BOSTON — Alex Verdugo has gone from anger to joy over the trade that took him from one side of the rivalry to the other in the space of six months.
Verdugo was initially “upset” about being traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in December, but he stepped into Fenway Park for the first time as a visitor on Friday and was happy to be playing for the team currently leading the American League East.
After four years with the Red Sox, Verdugo acknowledged he had this weekend’s series marked on his calendar and said it would be “special” but also “weird” to return.
But he didn’t seem bitter about the developments so far.
“I feel like this trade was made for a reason,” Verdugo said Friday afternoon. “Looking back, it’s been good for me.”
Acquired in exchange for relief pitcher Greg Weisert and minor league pitchers Richard Fitts and Nicholas Giudice, Verdugo has played a key role in the Yankees’ strong start to the season.
Verdugo was a key member of the group of players the Red Sox acquired from the Dodgers in the blockbuster trade for the ill-fated Mookie Betts, but he seemed to have outgrown his welcome in Boston before fitting right in in the Yankees clubhouse.
“I’m able to be myself,” Verdugo said, “and show my teammates. They’ve played against me for years and they know what I bring to the table when I play between the lines. Now they see it all. I think they really like the energy I bring.”
“I am 100 percent me.”
Immediately after the trade was completed, manager Aaron Boone made it clear to Verdugo that he wanted the outfielder to join the team and show off his potential.
Far from shying away from his individuality, the Yankees believed it was something they lacked.
“We have standards and expectations,” Boone said, “but at the same time, we want you to be yourself. That message goes not just to Dougie, but to everyone who comes here. Our leadership group, led by Aaron, [Judge]does a great job of really getting guys comfortable and allowing them to be themselves, but also setting standards and expectations.
“He’s just so funny and a little edgy. He fits in right away and really comes into his own.”
Boone, Judge and Anthony Rizzo all said they had been lobbying the Yankees to acquire Verdugo for several years before the trade actually happened.
Verdugo quickly settled in and was able to exert the same influence he has shown so far both offensively and defensively.
But shortly after the trade, Verdugo made his first media appearance as a Yankee and caused a bit of a stir by saying Boone was defending his players. “You don’t criticize the players, you defend them,” Verdugo said.
This was seen by many as a jab at Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who benched Verdugo twice last season for a lack of effort and for arriving late before games.
But on Friday, Verdugo and Cora said they had put their problems in the past.
“Dugie’s a good kid,” Cora said. “I think people make a big deal out of it. … We have a good relationship.”
Verdugo, who hugged Cora on the field during batting practice, echoed similar sentiments and criticized the media for overstating the incident.
“I think we just had a disagreement over something minor, and that’s OK,” Verdugo said. “We don’t always agree with each other, but I have nothing but respect for AC.”
“I’m a little tired of talking about AC when talking about the Red Sox because of the way it ended. We’re still friends. The media and people can make a big fuss about it all you want, but it was a simple case of two guys clashing who couldn’t agree on something. We’re also guys who can reconcile and talk to each other. I really don’t want the media to keep saying we don’t have a friendship.”
What kind of reception did he expect for his first game at Fenway Park?
“It’s like the Yankees,” Verdugo said with a smile.
