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Jonathan Papelbon blasts Alex Verdugo: ‘He more or less rode himself out of town.’

Alex Verdugo didn’t exactly have kind words for Alex Cora and the Red Sox after the team traded the 27-year-old outfielder to the Yankees in December.

While some sour sentiment against the Red Sox could be expected after they dealt him to their greatest rival, Verdugo seemed to throw some shade at his former manager — especially after drawing the ire of Cora several times during the 2023 season.

“I’m very excited to work with Aaron [Boone],’’ Verdugo said in his first Zoom call with New York reporters last month. “I’ve seen the way he has his players’ backs.