Red Sox: Three contract extension candidates this spring
By Sean Penney
Red Sox extension candidate – Alex Verdugo
We only have a limited sample from the shortened 2020 season but Alex Verdugo certainly impressed during his first year in Boston.
The 24-year-old was arguably the best player on the team last season, hitting .308 with an .844 OPS, six home runs, and four stolen bases in 53 games. He also provided a strong defensive presence while accepting the challenge of handling Fenway Park’s notoriously difficult right field.
As the centerpiece of the Betts blockbuster trade, the Red Sox will certainly have interest in locking up Verdugo. The Dodgers have already secured the future of Betts in Los Angeles and Boston won’t want to risk his replacement leaving after a few seasons.
With Jackie Bradley Jr. in free-agent limbo with an asking price that remains outside of Boston’s budget, Verdugo is expected to move to center field this season with the Red Sox lacking viable alternatives. The position change might be temporary though with promising prospect Jarren Duran waiting in the wings. A star center fielder can generally command a higher salary than a corner outfielder so the Red Sox might be better off waiting for Duran’s arrival when they can send Verudgo back to right field before they entertain the idea of an extension.
While the team certainly views Verdugo as part of their long-term future, there’s no rush to have him sign an extension since he isn’t eligible for free agency until 2025. Verdugo will be eligible for arbitration for the first time next year and that opportunity to see a bump in salary is when extension talks would make more sense.