Alex Verdugo Rumors (Finally) Emerge; What’s Next For Ex-Red Sox Outfielder?
Alex Verdugo’s swing-and-miss to end the 2024 World Series was a fitting ending to his blink-of-an-eye run with the New York Yankees.
The 28-year-old failed to find his stride in The Bronx, faulted a rare batting glove infection for his subpar at-bat production and gave the Yankees zero reasons to commit. Verdugo was due for a major breakout in 2024 with free agency on the horizon, but that never came to life. Instead, Verdugo ended his one-and-done run as Aaron Judge’s liability teammate batting .233 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Verdugo was never in the running to make the All-Star Game, wasn’t deserving of making New York’s postseason roster and should’ve been beat out — multiple times — by 21-year-old Yankees prospect Jasson Domínguez.
Now, Verdugo has undergone a brisk winter in free agency awaiting his next opportunity and despite the seemingly mundane market for him, Verdugo has suitors.
The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates are among those “to watch,” out for signing Verdugo, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo and FanSided’s Robert Murray. Verdugo earned $9.2 million last season and without the statistics to warrant a long-term extension, the market might not be favorable for the ex-Boston Red Sox.
Verdugo didn’t perform like a starting outfielder hungry for a payday so perhaps settling for a one-year deal with hopes for a breakout could be the move.
When it came to the bright lights in October, Verdugo was best suited for the shadiest seat in the dugout. He batted .214 across eight games for the Yankees in the postseason, going 6-for-28 with one double, two RBIs and six strikeouts. Verdugo also struck out four times in 17 at-bats in the World Series and overran a Freddie Freeman single in Game 1, allowing the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger to reach third base.
At every given opportunity to bolster his free agency stock, Verdugo fumbled… even though he claimed the motivation was there.
“I was upset. I was pretty clear I didn’t want to go anywhere,” Verdugo said of his trade from the Dodgers before the World Series, per the New York Post’s Zack Braziller. “I understood it from a business aspect and all that, but I was pretty hurt by it.”
Los Angeles, since trading Verdugo for Mookie Betts (and more), has secured two World Series titles. Verdugo, on the other hand, has failed to live up to the expectations the Dodgers once had for him. His offensive numbers remained sluggish and his defense made a slight improvement with Verdugo nominated for a Gold Glove Award.
Will that be enough to land a multi-year contract? It’s unlikely and undeserving but not impossible.