Player News

• Braves' Alex Verdugo: Inks $1.5 million deal with Atlanta

  1D ago • By RotoWire

  Atlanta signed Verdugo to a one-year, $1.5 million contract and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Verdugo's free-agent market has been quiet all winter, but he's finally managed to land a major-league deal a week before Opening Day. It's not clear when Verdugo might be able to play, and by the time he's ready Ronald Acuna (knee) may have already rejoined the Atlanta lineup, so the 28-year-old could be viewed purely as corner outfield insurance by Atlanta. Verdugo slashed only .233/.291/.356 across 149 regular-season games for the Yankees in 2024.

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• Alex Verdugo: No MLB offers in free agency

  4D ago • By RotoWire

  Verdugo has yet to receive an offer for a major-league deal since becoming a free agent in November, a league source tells Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Verdugo lacks the power profile most teams value in corner outfielders, but as an under-30 player with a career 101 wRC+ over parts of eight seasons in the majors, it comes as a surprise that he apparently hasn't been offered anything more than a minor-league deal throughout the winter and spring. Given his track record in the big leagues, Verdugo has understandably been unwilling to sign what he perceives as a below-market deal, but he may have to wait for a team's outfield depth to be tested by injuries early in the season before he gets an offer to his liking. While he waits for an opportunity, Verdugo has reportedly kept himself in playing shape by training on his own at his home in Arizona.

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• Alex Verdugo: Still looking for new home

  14D ago • By RotoWire

  Verdugo is running out of time to sign with a team before the start of the season, Matt Ehalt of the New York Post reports. Verdugo had been linked to the Mets, Blue Jays, Astros, Angels and Pirates this offseason, but those clubs either no longer have interest or they're simply not willing to offer the veteran outfielder what he feels he's worth. The 28-year-old slashed only .233/.291/.356 across 149 regular-season games for the Yankees in 2024 but graded out as a plus defender in left field.

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• Yankees' Alex Verdugo: Will start again in Game 2

  10/06/2024 • By RotoWire

  Verdugo is expected to start in left field in Game 2 of the ALDS versus Kansas City on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. Verdugo started in Game 1 and came through with a big performance, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI. His seventh-inning RBI single broke a 5-5 tie, providing what proved to be the winning run. Verdugo's expected start in Game 2 seems to indicate that he's currently the preferred option in left field over rookie Jasson Dominguez, as the Yankees are electing to deploy the lefty-hitting Verdugo over the switch-hitting Dominguez against southpaw Cole Ragans.

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• Yankees' Alex Verdugo: Expected to start in Game 1

  10/05/2024 • By RotoWire

  Verdugo is expected to start in left field for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals on Saturday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports. Verdugo split starts in left field with Jasson Dominguez toward the end of the regular season after the latter was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Sept. 9. The duo had a similar slash line during that split, but it appears manager Aaron Boone will go with the veteran Verdugo for Game 1 of the ALDS. Verdugo's lone postseason appearance was in 2021 with the Red Sox, when he slashed .310/.383/.452 with one home run and six RBI across 47 plate appearances.

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