Franchy Cordero on trade to Red Sox: 'My favorite team growing up, really excited about the opportunity'

The Boston Red Sox traded Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals last month in exchange for Franchy Cordero. 

On Saturday, Cordero, who grew up a Red Sox fan, admitted that he was surprised he was traded to Boston. 

"It was the team I grew up watching, my favorite team growing up," Cordero said, according to MassLive's Christopher Smith. "So I'm really excited about the opportunity that I have here."

The 26-year-old continued to say that Red Sox games were constantly on TV in the Dominican Republic, where he grew up. He also discussed some of Boston's most legendary players, including David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez:

"When I was growing up as a kid in the D.R. (Dominican Republic), those were the games that were always on — Boston Red Sox games. And I grew up a big David Ortiz fan. Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez and even J.D. Drew, those were guys I really liked watching as a kid. It was always fun, too, to be able to see all the championships that were won during my youth. So that's what made me into a fan."

Cordero spent three seasons with the San Diego Padres before joining the Royals for the 2020 campaign. During the pandemic-shortened season, he slashed .211/.286/.447 with two home runs and seven RBI in 16 games. 

He could see more playing time in 2021 with a Red Sox outfield that includes Alex Verdugo, Hunter Renfroe, Marwin Gonzalez and J.D. Martinez (when he's not the designated hitter).