Always Prospering Media

AP Photo/Steven Senne

As of last night on December 5th, the New York Yankees acquired lefty hitting outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for three right handed pitchers: Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts, and Nicholas Judice. Verdugo may not be the lefty hitting corner outfielder Yankees fans were hoping to land but I think he’s a tremendous addition to the team. The Yankees are desperate for left fielders and more lefties in the batting order, so Verdugo checks both boxes. Initially, I thought perhaps New York wanted him to be able to move him to San Diego in their pursuit of superstar Juan Soto. However, in more recent reports, it seems that Verdugo isn’t going anywhere prior to the 2024 campaign. However, in more news, the Yankees and Soto trade talks have intensified between the ball clubs and some people seem to believe that the trade is very close to being done. Aside from adding depth for the Yanks, Verdugo carries weight in these talks because he fills the same shoes Soto does, which is good leverage for the Yankees front office. Ideally, New York still needs to make Soto their top priority because his addition to the team is just too important. He is one of the best ball players in the majors and he bats left and will be an everyday starter in front of the short porch in right field. If this proves to be the case, Judge will be the guy in centerfield. That to me is an outstanding outfield. You have two lefties in Soto and Verdugo in the corners, whose respective swings are perfect for Yankee Stadium. Furthermore, you have two of the best batters in the MLB, period. Judge and Soto back to back in the lineup will prove to be problematic for opposing pitching. In other news, DJ LeMaheiu will likely be the everyday starter at the third base which I don’t mind, despite his struggles offensively this past season. After all, everyone struggled offensively last season. Anyways, so the only questions left unanswered in my mind would be Gleyber Torres’ future with the club, the Yankees’ pursuit of Japanese star Yamamoto, as well as Rizzo’s and Stanton’s impact in 2024. Other free agency concerns would include resigning Wandy Peralta and IKF. I think IKF holds tremendous value in his ability to be plugged in all over the lineup, not to mention his selfless character. Wandy probably is more important, however, as he is a high leverage lefty reliever so we will see if New York can bring him back. To conclude: Verdugo is a good thing, let’s go get Soto, and maybe even Yamamoto, too. If they can do it all, the Yankees will be much more competitive in 2024 and be back to their standard as annual World Series contenders. 

written by Andrew Petrino.