Red Sox Rumors: Alex Verdugo 'open' to extension in Boston

Early in June, Alex Verdugo was benched by Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. The reasoning was said to be a lack of hustle and effort on the part of the outfielder who was the centerpiece of the divisive Mookie Betts trade with the Dodgers.

He's been red-hot since that time, though. Over his last seven days, Verdugo is hitting .462 with a 1.231 OPS with six extra-base hits, one RBI, one walk and only one strikeout over 27 plate appearances for Boston's right field. On the whole, he's been phenomenal for the Red Sox in the 2023 season with a .301/.374/.462 slash linewith 32 extra-base hits and 31 RBI on the season.

With just one year of club control remaining on his contract, though, the question is now becoming what Verdugo's long-term future will be. If you ask Verdugo, though, he wants to stay in Boston as extension talks will come to the forefront.

Speaking with Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Verdugo didn't sound like he'll be rushing anything, but he reiterated that he loves Boston and wants to stay within this organization.

"All in good time. It will happen when it happens," said Verdugo. "I'm all ears. I do love Boston. I've been saying it for many years. I've really been able to come into my own in this organization. I like it a lot."

Red Sox fans, however, have some scar tissue in this type of circumstance. Whether it was Betts or Xander Bogaerts, the Chaim Bloom regime has watched homegrown stars leave in free agency after extension talks were unfruitful and, at times, insulting to the players involved.

Over the next few months, extension talks with Verdugo are sure to start ramping up a bit. Having said that, it'll be a tense time for Red Sox fans as they hope that another player — particularly one who was the key part of trading away a favorite of the fan base in Betts — doesn't leave for nothing once again.

Red Sox Rumors: Jose Iglesias could return to Boston to help at shortstop

Shortstop, to put it mildly, has been an issue for the Boston Red Sox this season.

With Xander Bogaerts leaving in free agency, the initial plan was to move Trevor Story to the other side of second base this year. Instead, Story has been on the IL since the spring and, though his return is nearing closer, he's still not back yet.

In the interim, we've seen Kiké Hernandez fail quite spectacularly there with his defense while a rotating cast of Pablo Reyes, Enmanuel Valdez and others have produced middling results. Now, with Reyes likely hitting the IL, they are left with even fewer options, particularly with Alex Cora confirming that Hernandez won't be lining up there any time soon… if ever again.

So what can the Red Sox do then? How about bringing back a familiar presence in the clubhouse: Jose Iglesias.

Iglesias opted out of his minor-league deal with the Padres on Tuesday after posting an .893 OPS in Triple-A El Paso this season. Now a free agent, the 33-year-old is looking for a new home and the Red Sox, the organization that drafted him and had him on the roster just a couple of years ago, could bring him home.

No one would mistake Iglesias as a long-term option for Boston, but he doesn't need to be. He can serve as the starter with solid defense and decent back until Story can return. Then, if he's played well, there would be the option to retain him as a utility man in the infield. In any case, though, bringing Iglesias back to the Red Sox would be a great way to solidify the position as the club is starting to make a bit of a run.

Red Sox Rumors: Triston Casas trade not out of the question

What the Boston Red Sox plan to do at the MLB Trade Deadline is very much up in the air. Yes, they are still in last place in the AL East, but they are still heavily in the wild card race as they would be in first in the AL Central — the woes of playing in baseball's best division.

As it pertains to the deadline, though, that puts them in an intriguing spot where they could be buyers but could also look to shuffle around their system a bit. And one suggestion has fans buzzing for better or worse.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) published a proverbial trade deadline big board with 100 players who could be moved by Aug. 1. One player on the Red Sox he mentioned was former top prospect and first baseman Triston Casas.

Here's what Bowden had to say about a possible deal:

The Red Sox have been disappointed with his defense and lack of consistency. Boston still believes in Casas and he's only 23, but there are teams targeting him just in case the Red Sox are open to a prospect-for-prospect deal that works for both sides.

It's key that Boston isn't looking hard at trading Casas right now. At the same time, though, with Cora making a recent move to play him at first base less as he tries to work through notable defensive issues and with his bat not necessarily living up to expectations either (.215/.332/.390), if the right deal is presented to the Red Sox, Bowden makes it sound as if there could be a trade to make.

Casas is still extremely young, has legit MLB power and could be a few tweaks from putting it together. Yes, that could be valuable to Boston in the long run but, if they believe that leveraging him to compete in the 2023 season is worth it, he could also help to bring in a substantial return at the deadline.

Now that his name is out there, it'll be fascinating to see how the Red Sox proceed with him on the trade market.