MLB Rumors: Alex Verdugo Hasn't Received Contract Offers After Yankees Stint

Free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo reportedly hasn't generated much interest from MLB teams leading up to the start of the 2025 regular season.

According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, a league source said no team has offered the 28-year-old veteran a major-league contract.

Verdugo spent last season with the New York Yankees after previously playing three seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers and four seasons for the Boston Red Sox.

In 149 regular-season games with the Yankees in 2024, Verdugo largely struggled offensively, slashing .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs, 61 RBI and 74 runs scored.

Aside from his rookie season during which he played only 15 games, those represented new career lows in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Things didn't get much better for Verdugo in the playoffs, as he slashed .208/.309/.313 with one homer and eight RBI in 14 postseason games, including the World Series.

Verdugo has long been a plus defender, though, and he continued to excel in that regard last season as the Yankees' every-day left fielder.

Among qualifying major-league left fielders, Verdugo had the second-best fielding percentage at .996 and the third-most putouts with 268. He also committed only one error.

Verdugo also tied with Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs for the second-most defensive runs saved among qualifying left fielders with eight, per Fangraphs.

Given his defensive excellence, several people in the Yankees organization expressed their surprise to Kuty that Verdugo hasn't been signed, including manager Aaron Boone, who said: "Maybe a little bit surprised because he's without question a big-league player and a big-league starting player, for me. It just probably hasn't lined up money-wise and team-wise and need-wise, but he was great with us."

Yankees outfielder and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge echoed Boone's sentiments, saying: "I am surprised. He's such a great player. He brings so much value and versatility to a team."

Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman gave his thoughts on Verdugo's situation as well, saying: "Yes, I am [surprised]. That's all I'm going to say on it. But a lot of things surprise in this game nowadays. Just keep it at that."

While the Yankees could potentially be an option for Verdugo if injuries strike their outfield at some point, there is no room for him currently.

In addition to Judge locking down right field, Cody Bellinger was acquired from the Chicago Cubs to play center. Also, it looks like the Yanks are going to give longtime top prospect Jasson Dominguez a chance to play every day in left.

That leaves the experienced Trent Grisham as New York's fourth outfielder, and it isn't likely the Yankees will carry more than that.

Opportunities could open up for a veteran of Verdugo's ilk across the league as injuries occur early in the season, but it is possible Verdugo may first have to settle for a minor-league deal in order to work his way back up to the big leagues.