Red Sox Rebuild Jettisoned Entire 2018 World Series Outfield

There is no replacing a generational player like Betts, but the Red Sox at least got two solid prospects and an everyday outfielder, Alex Verdugo, who hit .308 with an .844 on-base plus slugging percentage last season. That ranked second among Boston regulars to shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is signed through 2025 (with an opt-out after 2022).

“Alex has been interesting, to say the least, but in a good way,” said Cora, who is managing the hard-charging, heavily tattooed Verdugo for the first time. “You see the energy from afar, the way he played last year, but when you start talking baseball with him, it’s a deep conversation. And he’s a complete player. We got a good one.”

The Red Sox will still have baseball’s No. 2 payroll this year, behind the Dodgers, though much of it is dragged down by payouts to Dustin Pedroia, who retired because of injury; David Price, who was traded with Betts; and Benintendi, who was dealt for outfielder Franchy Cordero and four prospects.

“We sent cash in the deal to help get the prospect return that we got,” Bloom said. “So that really wasn’t financially motivated. It was just about having a return that aligned with the bigger-picture goals.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/09/sports/baseball/red-sox-chaim-bloom.html