The rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox is one of the most storied in all of sports. On Tuesday, the two teams made a rare trade that shook up the baseball world. The Yankees acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Frank Weissert.
Verdugo, 24, is a former top prospect who has had a solid start to his major league career. He was acquired by the Red Sox in the blockbuster deal that sent Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Verdugo has hit .294 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 2020. He is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Yankees’ outfield.
Weissert, 22, is a hard-throwing right-hander who was drafted by the Yankees in the third round of the 2019 draft. He has yet to make his major league debut, but he has been impressive in the minors. In 2019, he posted a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts with High-A Tampa. He is expected to compete for a spot in the Red Sox’s starting rotation in 2021.
The trade is a win-win for both teams. The Yankees get an experienced outfielder who can help them make a run at the playoffs, while the Red Sox get a promising young pitcher who could be part of their future. It’s a rare move between two teams that are usually rivals, but it could pay off for both sides in the long run.
