With free agency looming, Alex Verdugo reflects on Yankees tenure and hopes to stay
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Follow UsAlex Verdugo, set to hit free agency this winter, remains hopeful for a return to the New York Yankees, where he’s aiming to solidify his role and showcase his potential beyond defense. The 28-year-old outfielder has expressed enthusiasm about staying in the Bronx, noting the team’s unique camaraderie and the connection he’s felt with his teammates and fans.
“It’s been my favorite team I’ve ever played for,” Alex Verdugo said before Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. “I think there would be some stuff that, you know, maybe one day we can come back; if it’s not next year, maybe it’s another year.” Reflecting on his performance, Verdugo added, “I would like to come back and just show the type of player that I really am … I’m usually a lot more consistent.”
Why Alex Verdugo wants to prove he can stick with Yankees
This sentiment comes after Verdugo’s first season with the Yankees, following his trade from the Boston Red Sox. Brought in to strengthen the Yankees’ outfield defense while Jasson Dominguez developed in the minors, Verdugo has met expectations in that respect. His defensive stats placed him in the 77th percentile for outs above average, the 96th for arm value, and the 94th for arm strength. Offensively, however, it was a challenging season. Verdugo batted a career-low .233 with a .647 OPS, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 61 runs across 149 games. His struggles, particularly late in the season, saw him benched as the regular season concluded.
Acknowledging the offensive dip, Alex Verdugo admitted, “I know it wasn’t my best personal year in offense … it’s exciting [to hit free agency], but to have one of my career-worst years offensively going into it is a bummer.” Despite the hurdles, Alex Verdugo remains optimistic, expressing a determination to train harder this offseason and regain his consistency at the plate.
With the Yankees currently locked in a World Series battle against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alex Verdugo’s thoughts occasionally drift to his uncertain future. “Yeah, we all have [thought about our future], right? We all kind of do,” he said. “Just got to play it how it is. At the end of the day, I’m focused on winning a World Series, trying to win today and then win the next. Whatever happens, happens.”
Alex Verdugo’s free agency presents a crossroads. If he re-signs with the Yankees, he’ll have a chance to prove his offensive value and establish himself as a core contributor on both sides of the ball. For now, his focus remains on helping the Yankees overcome their 3-0 deficit in the World Series, hoping to leave his mark on the Bronx one way or another, either as a returning player or with a final chapter in pinstripes.
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