Red Sox announcer tries to fuel Yankees pessimism with new Alex Verdugo allegations

Though Yankees offseason acquisition Alex Verdugo came over from the Red Sox holding a "caution" sign, he's seemed to fit in nicely so far at camp, fulfilling Aaron Judge's long-time vision.

WEEI announcer Will Flemming, apparently, has different ideas, holding his very own Boston Tea-Spilling Party over the airwaves of Wednesday's Yankees-Red Sox exhibition.

Verdugo wasn't very popular during his final season in Boston, though he was the emotional leader of the 2021 Red Sox underdog ALCS team (and don't let any Bostonians tell you differently). He repeatedly clashed with Alex Cora over ... let's say, punctuality, leading to some benchings and an airing of grievances in the media (which is, as everyone knows, the healthiest way to handle these kinds of things).

According to Flemming on the broadcast, there are “already some rumblings of a lot of the stuff that hurt [Verdugo] in Boston, showing up behind schedule for things.” If so, those rumblings have only become public because of ... you, my man!

Yankees having maturity issues with Alex Verdugo? Red Sox announcer strikes back?

No one has mentioned this at all, meaning if it is true, the Yankees have done a very good job of handling things internally, and a Red Sox announcer just spitefully aired their dirty laundry, opening the door to questioning.

Could also be fake! Classic Boston, though. "Oooh, were you trying to keep that under wraps? Oooopsie! Sorry, I'm a lil' stinker."

There's a possibility that Verdugo doesn't fit in New York, either, a clubhouse that has traditionally been less willing than Boston to let stars be stars and operate on their own crazy schedules (Manny Being Manny, anyone?). Aaron Judge targeted Verdugo for a reason, though, and clearly believes he can keep the talented left-handed hitter in line.

Bottom line? Don't let Will Flemming's offhanded comment bring you down. There are important MRIs being exchanged at Yankees camp anyway. No need to give Verdugo a brain scan, too.