When the New York Yankees traded Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox, rumors arose almost immediately. Could they use him as a trading chip for Juan Soto or someone else? Or are they interested in keeping him on their team? Though Brian Cashman had made it clear that he needs two lefty outfielders, Verdugo could be an attractive trading chip.  What does his fate hold?

While stranger things have happened, one cannot possibly know what the Yankees have planned. But manager Aaron Boone may have given a strong hint about their preference this offseason.

New York Yankees manager thinks Verdugo will stay

Acquiring a player only to use him as a trading chip is an age-old practice. It wouldn’t surprise many if the Yankees ended up using Verdugo for the Juan Soto trade. Yet it cannot be denied that he will add huge value to the team if he stays. In a lineup filled with swing-and-miss hitters, he is a stable and consistent presence. Perhaps that’s why Brpnx manager Aaron Boone expects him to stay with them in 2024.

“Yeah, yeah, I mean we’re in December so you never say… Anything’s possible but yeah I am expecting that,” said Boone in a recent interview. This could be a huge show of belief for Verdugo who would want to return to his best form a year away from free agency.

But the skipper has also clarified that anything can happen. The reality is that the market is currently devoid of position players. The biggest one is Cody Bellinger and the Yankees are reportedly not as interested in it due to his bad underlying stats.

Read more: New York Yankees Renew Juan Soto Trade Talks, Days After Massive Setback Threatened Negotiations

In Verdugo, the Yankees will also find a versatile fielder who can play center and right. The Bronx Bombers are woefully short of a centerfield player after their rookie Jasson Dominguez got injured. So it makes sense why they would want to hold on to Verdugo. Boone also commented how he’s willing to dream about Soto’s entry into the Yankees.

Boone says he’s ready to dream

On being asked about whether he’s willing to dream about Soto’s arrival, Boone said, “Yeah, I allow myself to dream on a lot of things…I think I always start to imagine what it could look like.”

The Yankees are being surprisingly candid about their interest in Soto. It could mean that they’re confident about getting their hands on the Dominican slugger. They’re certainly close after restarting their pursuit for him.

How long before we see Juan Soto in pinstripes?

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