Alex Verdugo seeks reunion with Yankees, open to accept new role

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After the Yankees’ World Series hopes ended, Alex Verdugo lingered in his uniform long past midnight, still wearing his pinstriped jersey and eye black as he fielded questions in the clubhouse. The Dodgers’ celebration at Yankee Stadium had already begun, but Verdugo stood reflecting on the possibility that this could be his final moment as a Yankee. His season-ending strikeout at 11:52 p.m. served as a painful conclusion to his year.

Verdugo, set to enter free agency, reiterated his desire to remain with the Yankees, a sentiment he had expressed earlier in the postseason. Reflecting on the loss, he spoke of his commitment to helping the team chase championship success, emphasizing his deep connection to the franchise.

“If I come back, I expect to play,” the outfielder said. “But you never know, right? You never know. I don’t want to close the book. I just know what kind of player I am and what I’m capable of. We’re gonna go to work right now, go into the offseason, clean up some stuff on the body, and do some things that I think will really benefit me and kind of put me back into my normal self. I felt a lot better in this playoff push and had a lot better at-bats and did a lot more stuff that kind of felt like me again.”

While Verdugo’s passion for the team is clear, his on-field performance complicates his future in New York. Despite excelling defensively and fitting seamlessly into the Yankees’ clubhouse culture, his offensive production dropped off sharply. After a promising start to the season, Verdugo’s batting numbers plummeted from May onward, leaving him among the league’s least productive hitters for regular players. This decline raised concerns about his long-term fit in the Yankees’ lineup.

The outfielder’s bond with the team remains strong, reflecting the camaraderie that defined the Yankees throughout their playoff run. However, as the organization evaluates its roster, Verdugo’s offensive struggles in his contract year could weigh heavily on the decision to extend his time in pinstripes.

Alex Verdugo’s performance during the 2024 season has left his future with the Yankees in question as he heads into free agency. A stronger showing at the plate might have cemented him as the team’s left-field fixture, but instead, Verdugo faces the possibility of being relegated to a secondary role. The Yankees’ offseason priorities center on retaining Juan Soto, while top prospect Jasson Domínguez is poised to claim a larger role. Meanwhile, the free-agent market and potential trade options provide the team with alternative solutions.

Before the Yankees’ decisive Game 5 loss to the Dodgers, Verdugo had expressed a willingness to return to New York, even if not immediately. Acknowledging his consistent defensive contributions, he admitted his offensive production fell short of expectations, lacking the reliability he had hoped to deliver.

“Maybe one day we can come back, if it’s not next year, maybe it’s another year,” he said then. “But I would like to come back and just show the type of player that I really am. I think we’ve seen it defensively, seen it at times offensively, but I’m usually a lot more consistent.”

In the aftermath of the World Series defeat, Verdugo spoke further about his situation during a follow-up interview. Asked about the possibility of returning in a reduced capacity—such as a platoon role or as a fourth outfielder—he demonstrated both pragmatism and determination. While conceding he hadn’t fully explored all possibilities, Verdugo maintained his belief that he could still earn significant playing time if he were to re-sign.

“I just really started thinking about it right now,” he said about his free agency, “We’ve got some things to think about. I definitely want to be back in pinstripes to help us win one.”

Verdugo emphasized his offseason plans to improve his physical conditioning, expressing confidence that this work would help him regain his form. He pointed to his postseason performance as evidence of his ability to deliver under pressure, citing better at-bats and a return to his natural style of play.

His comments reflect a blend of ambition and self-awareness, with a focus on addressing the inconsistencies that plagued his regular season. Whether that effort will earn him another chance in pinstripes or a fresh start elsewhere remains to be seen.

Verdugo flops with bat but glove work impresses Yankees

The 2024 season proved to be a challenging chapter for Alex Verdugo, as his offensive production hit career lows. His batting average dipped to .233, paired with a .647 OPS, and his fWAR settled at a modest 0.6. While a late-season resurgence coincided with reduced playing time following Jasson Domínguez’s arrival from Triple-A, it wasn’t enough to overshadow a prolonged mid-season slump.

Despite these struggles, Yankees manager Aaron Boone consistently expressed faith in Verdugo. Speaking after the Yankees’ World Series run concluded, Boone underscored his belief in Verdugo’s hitting fundamentals. Acknowledging that the season fell short of expectations, Boone emphasized baseball’s natural ebb and flow, where even established players experience periods of difficulty. He also praised Verdugo’s defensive reliability and his contributions during the postseason.

For Verdugo, the season held personal meaning beyond the numbers. Reflecting on his year in New York, he admitted his disappointment with his offensive performance but cherished the unique camaraderie he shared with this Yankees team. Verdugo called the 2024 squad the most special group he’s been part of in his career, highlighting the deep connections formed with his teammates as a career-defining experience.

The 2024 season marked Alex Verdugo’s debut as a regular starter for the Yankees, contributing to their 94-win campaign and first World Series appearance since 2009. Acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, Verdugo joined a star-studded outfield alongside MVP candidates Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Offensively, however, Verdugo struggled to find his rhythm. He posted a .233/.291/.356 slash line with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs, marking his lowest production since becoming an everyday player. For the first time since 2020, he failed to reach the 30-double mark, a dip reflective of his overall 0.7 WAR and a below-league-average OPS+ of 83.

While his bat faltered, Verdugo’s defensive skills remained elite. He was named a Gold Glove finalist for his work in left field, where he logged 141 starts out of 149 games. His steady glove delivered nearly error-free play, with just one error on the season, and his strong arm contributed seven assists, further solidifying his defensive value.

In the postseason, Verdugo’s offensive struggles persisted. Across 14 playoff games, he managed a .622 OPS, adding one home run and eight RBIs. Batting primarily in the eighth or ninth spots in the order, he served as a defensive anchor while continuing to contribute in high-pressure situations.

One of Verdugo’s season highlights came on May 7 in a win over the Houston Astros. Facing Justin Verlander, he launched a three-run homer in the first inning and later added an RBI single, driving the Yankees to a decisive 10-4 victory and showcasing his offensive upside.

Advanced metrics from Baseball Savant further underline Verdugo’s defensive impact. His arm strength ranked in the 94th percentile, while his overall defensive value reached the 96th percentile. Following an American League-best 12 outfield assists in 2023, his seven assists in 2024 reinforced his reputation as a defensive stalwart. These qualities not only earned him a consistent postseason role over top prospect Jasson Domínguez but also positioned him as an intriguing free-agent option for teams seeking defensive excellence, despite his offensive challenges.

Should stay or go?

A return to the Yankees remains a possibility for Alex Verdugo, but several factors make it an unlikely scenario. Chief among them is the anticipated rise of Jasson Domínguez, who is expected to take on a significant role in the outfield, potentially limiting Verdugo’s playing time. For a player of Verdugo’s caliber, a starting role with a team lacking outfield depth might prove more appealing than a reduced role in New York, especially if such an opportunity comes with a more lucrative contract.

Despite his underwhelming offensive output in 2024, Verdugo’s value remains evident. At 28, he brings a well-rounded skill set highlighted by exceptional defense, which has consistently ranked among the league’s best. His versatility and potential to regain offensive form make him a compelling option for teams seeking dependable outfield reinforcements heading into 2025. While Verdugo has expressed an emotional connection to his time with the Yankees, his career trajectory may ultimately point toward opportunities outside the Bronx.

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