BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 07: Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after robbing a home run in the ninth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on August 7, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The newest Boston Red Sox player is tired of the Mookie Betts comparisons
After hiring Chaim Bloom to be the new general manager, the Boston Red Sox opted to trade superstar outfielder Mookie Betts instead of paying him the contract he deserved. They sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for prospect Jeter Downs, catcher Connor Wong and outfielder Alex Verdugo. Both of those young athletes now have a ton of expectations placed on their shoulders because they have to try and put up similar production to Betts.
While speaking to the media after Boston’s 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, Verdugo was asked about what it’s like to replace Betts, to which the young outfielder replied that it’s not his job to be Betts’ clone. As Verdugo puts it, it’s his job to get on base.
Take a listen to Verdugo himself, and determine whether he’s tired of the comparisons to the star of the Dodgers.
Verdugo’s playing the game as he plays, not like Betts
Unfortunately for Verdugo, he won’t hear the end of the comparisons, especially since Betts just signed a massive 12-year, $365 million contract extension prior to the start of the 2020 MLB season. But, Red Sox fans are taking a liking to Verdugo for his play in the field and inside the batter’s box.
Through 11 games this season, Verdugo has an impressive slash-line of .294/.368/.559 along with 10 hits, three home runs and four RBI. In fact, two of those homers came against the Blue Jays on Friday evening. Oh, and he robbed a sure-fire home run by Travis Shaw in the ninth-inning to seal the victory for Boston.
Verdugo and Betts are two completely different players, so it’s completely unfair to compare the two. Red Sox fans (and media), just let Verdugo be himself, because he’s proven to be a solid player for Boston.
Silly writer!
Pay Mookie ‘the contract he deserved’?!.
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Mookie has already entered the backside of his career. It is beyond imbecilic to pay one player $30 million annually. Baseball’s history is littered with these contracts – and they literally never work to the team’s advantage.
Watch Alex: he will start outplaying the aging Mookie in the next few years while money is freed up to play for other players.
Lastly: Mookie was never going to sign here.
You are a fool!