Verdugo’s off-field issues deter Yankees, degrade $15M talent to $1.5M gamble

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Alex Verdugo‘s unexpected demotion to Triple-A before the 2025 campaign has cast a spotlight on the former Yankees outfielder’s career trajectory, revealing that his struggles may transcend what appears in the box score. This has downgraded his $15 million market value to just one-tenth of it.

Now wearing a Braves uniform on a modest one-year, $1.5 million contract, Verdugo faces the humbling reality of beginning the season in the minor leagues—a striking reversal for someone who patrolled left field for the Yankees during their 2024 playoff push just months ago.

According to reporting from The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham, the Yankees’ decision to part ways with Verdugo stemmed from more than just statistical disappointment.

“Alex Cora had it right in 2023 when he benched Verdugo after he reported late to a game despite previous warnings about tardiness,” Abraham noted. “Verdugo’s off-field issues also concerned the Yankees, who made no effort to retain him. The character questions go back to Verdugo’s time as a minor leaguer with the Dodgers when he attended a gathering that led to a teammate being investigated for sexual assault. No charges were filed, but some teams have been wary of Verdugo since. The lack of interest in the offseason should be a wake-up call.”

History of questionable judgment cuts Verdugo’s value

Abraham highlighted two particular episodes that have shadowed Verdugo throughout his professional journey. Most significantly, while in the Dodgers’ farm system, Verdugo was present during an incident where a teammate became implicated in a sexual assault investigation. Though Verdugo faced no charges or accusations himself, his connection to the situation reportedly created unease among several organizations.

Professional reliability issues, particularly around punctuality, also apparently diminished his market value. Cora’s public disciplinary action against Verdugo in 2023—benching him after multiple warnings about tardiness—now appears prophetic given his current market struggles.

While these matters may not have dominated conversations about Verdugo during his time in New York, they evidently influenced how the Yankees and other teams evaluated him when he hit free agency.

Mixed Yankees legacy: Dawg energy despite dip in performance

Verdugo appeared in 149 regular-season contests for the Yankees in 2024 and started all 14 postseason games, but his production declined dramatically. He recorded a career-worst 83 OPS+ with a .233/.291/.647 slash line, 13 home runs, and 61 RBIs across 621 plate appearances.

His postseason contribution was similarly underwhelming: a .208 average with a single homer and eight RBIs in 56 plate appearances. Despite these on-field struggles, Verdugo remained popular in the clubhouse. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe once described him as a “ride or die,” while slugger Giancarlo Stanton characterized him as an “incredible dude” when speaking to The Athletic.

This personal popularity makes the Yankees’ complete disinterest in retaining him particularly revealing. The front office evidently weighed both statistical performance and character concerns in their evaluation, ultimately prioritizing younger talent and players with unblemished reputations.

Dramatic financial downturn

After earning $8.7 million in 2024, Verdugo witnessed his market value collapse during the offseason. His late signing with Atlanta—barely a week before Opening Day—for a minor-league assignment and dramatically reduced $1.5 million salary underscores how significantly his stock has fallen in just a few months.

This precipitous decline reflects a combination of disappointing statistics, clubhouse concerns, and possibly industry-wide hesitation regarding past behavioral issues. Industry insiders suggest that if Verdugo had delivered exceptional numbers or propelled the Yankees deeper into October, his history might have been more readily overlooked.

Redemption opportunity awaits

Though beginning 2025 in Triple-A represents a setback, Verdugo has the opportunity to resurrect his career with the Braves, particularly given the organization’s track record for revitalizing veterans and their need for outfield depth throughout the marathon season.

However, the tepid market response and reports of off-field issues suggest he’ll face intense scrutiny.

Verdugo’s ability to rewrite his narrative now hinges on two critical factors: performance and professionalism. At 28, he still has time to salvage his career if he produces consistently and avoids further controversy. Yet with younger, more affordable, and less problematic outfield alternatives emerging league-wide, this opportunity could represent his final chance to prove he belongs at the highest level.

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