This offseason, the New York Yankees decided to part ways with outfielder Alex Verdugo. In his absence, they appear set to field an outfield consisting of Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, and Jasson Dominguez, while also having top prospects Spencer Jones and Everson Pereira waiting for their opportunities.
Surprisingly, Verdugo remains unsigned. Spotrac had projected him to land a four-year, $60 million deal in free agency, yet he has yet to secure any contract.
Though Verdugo struggled offensively in 2024, he remained a dependable defender and was considered a key clubhouse presence by his Yankees teammates. Despite posting his first OPS+ below 100 since 2018, his WAR remained above 0.0, showing he still holds value as a big leaguer. Given his talent, it’s puzzling that no team has made an offer yet.
At some point, a club is likely to take a chance on Verdugo, whether it’s a one-year contract worth $8-10 million or a deal with a club option. The 28-year-old is still more capable than many players currently on MLB rosters, making his continued free agency a surprising situation. Perhaps the Yankees themselves could even consider bringing him back.
