In recent weeks, Alex Verdugo has not made many friends in Boston. The former Red Sox, who was traded to the Yankees earlier in the off-season, took advantage of his first press briefing as a member of the Yankees to take shots at Alex Cora, among others.
We know that the two guys didn't like each other very much… but it was still a pretty ordinary reaction from Verdugo.
And among those who did not hesitate to criticize him at the time, we found Jonathan Papelbon. The old closer of the Red Sox thought it wasn't happening, and he didn't hesitate to insult him, calling him a bitch and claiming it was completely disrespectful.
Knives flew low on both sides.
And yesterday, Papelbon took advantage of his time at Foul Territory to add another layer with another rather bloody statement:
Nobody wants to play with guys like [Alex Verdugo].
Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon explains that having worked with Verdugo last year (he worked for NESN, which broadcasts Red Sox games), he is the type of guy who thinks he is bigger than the team and who only cares a little. 'at his head. He shows up late for meetings and games…and since no one stops him, he keeps going.
I hope the Yankees are aware of this and can manage accordingly. Guys like Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rizzo are a big leadership group, and they'll need to re-adjust Verdugo if he starts to slip up..
But clearly, Papelbon and Verdugo should not be invited to the same party. The first does not hesitate to openly say that he does not like the second, and I have the impression that this is far from over.
To be continued, therefore.
