Yankees' Alex Verdugo Responds to Jonathan Papelbon Calling Him 'Lazy'

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo responded to former Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon calling him "lazy" when speaking to reporters on Friday.

"Honestly, I don't care about anything he says," Verdugo said (h/t USA Today's Pete Caldera). "I don't know him personally. I've never even seen him around the clubhouse in the four years that I was with the Red Sox."

The former Red Sox outfielder praised Yankees manager Aaron Boone for his "fight," which appeared to be a shot at Boston manager Alex Cora.

In a post on X, Papelbon responded by calling Verdugo "late, lazy and unproductive."

"If I played for Cora, I'm drilling this [guy], just saying." the six-time All-Star added.

Verdugo was acquired by the Yankees in a Dec. 5 trade with Boston, as New York sent three pitchers in return. He explained that Papelbon's history as a fiery competitor could be a possible explanation for his response regarding the earlier comments about Boone in relation to Cora.

"I don't feel like he has any idea what was going on the team, in house," said Verdugo, per Caldera. "He's always been a guy that's very emotional and kind of crazy in a way. He doesn't really care. He kind of just says what he wants, with no filter to him.''

"But honestly, he has a right to his opinion, and if that's how he feels, that's how he feels,'' he later added. "Hopefully, he feels better, he got his little reaction out, whatever. I don't care."

As he appears to be putting the short back-and-forth behind him, Verdugo will attempt to help the Yankees get back on track after missing the postseason in 2023. While he doesn't possess a ton of power, he's an above-average hitter who owns a career .281 batting average.

He should help a Yankees team that struggled mightily to put the ball in play, as their .227 batting average in 2023 represented the second-lowest mark in the majors.