Former Red Sox star closer blasts new Yankees OF for Alex Cora comments

Retired closer Jonathan Papelbon has never been shy with his words. The retired six-time All-Star directed his latest criticism Friday at New York Yankees offseason acquisition Alex Verdugo, who was traded from the Boston Red Sox in early December.

Papelbon was drafted by the Red Sox in 2003. He spent his first seven seasons with the franchise, earning four All-Star honors and a World Series ring with Boston. The 43-year-old was teammates with current Red Sox manager Alex Cora in Boston from 2005-08, so when Verdugo seemed to take a dig at Cora on Thursday, Papelbon went off on the outfielder.

"… Cora has his players and teammates backs more than anyone in the game," Papelbon posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about Verdugo. "You aired yourself out by being late, lazy and unproductive."

The former Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals hurler was commenting in response to Verdugo's words on Thursday, when he talked about how excited he was to play for Yankees manager Aaron Boone. While Verdugo didn't specifically name Cora during his interview, given his past with the former big league infielder, most assumed he was referring to his former boss.