Alex Verdugo Hasn’t Received A Major League Offer

Alex Verdugo is without doubt one of the most outstanding names nonetheless lingering on the free agent market, and it doesn’t sound as if he’s been near coming off the board at any level. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports that Verdugo has but to obtain a proper main league provide from any staff since turning into a free agent again in November. Kuty chatted with now-former teammates Aaron Decide, Anthony Volpe, Marcus Stroman and Trent Grisham concerning the scenario, every of whom expressed shock that Verdugo is unsigned and spoke extremely of him as a teammate and member of the Yankees’ 2024 clubhouse.

Verdugo has drawn at the least some curiosity from huge league groups this winter — the Pirates, Angels and Astros amongst them. Whereas Verdugo might not have obtained a proper written provide, Jon Heyman of the New York Publish reported not too long ago that Pittsburgh “floated” a quantity round $8MM in discussions with the outfielder earlier than pivoting to signal Tommy Pham for a 12 months and $4.05MM. It’s not clear whether or not Verdugo didn’t discover that quantity interesting or whether or not the Bucs most well-liked to unfold out their restricted sources. They signed Pham and Andrew Heaney for a mixed $9.3MM.

The Astros had been recognized to be on the lookout for left-handed-hitting outfield assist, however the entrance workplace has spent the offseason dealing with payroll limitations. Proprietor Jim Crane was seemingly solely prepared to exceed the luxurious tax for Alex Bregman and Bregman alone. Houston was solely about $5-6MM shy of the tax threshold when Ben Gamel was signed to a one-year, $1.2MM deal that seemingly closed the door on any potential match with Verdugo.

Verdugo, 29 in Might, is coming off the worst full season of his profession. His lone 12 months with the Yankees resulted in a .233/.291/.356 batting line that clocked in 17% worse than common, by measure of wRC+. That paltry end-of-season line comes regardless of a terrific begin to his 2024 marketing campaign. Via mid-Might, Verdugo was batting .275/.362/.450 in 141 plate appearances. He fell right into a deep hunch shortly thereafter and by no means actually managed to recuperate; over his last 480 journeys to the plate, he mustered solely a .221/.270/.330 output. The one certified hitters with a decrease wRC+ than Verdugo’s mark of 69 throughout that point (indicating he was 31% under par on the plate) had been Maikel Garcia and Bryan De La Cruz.

Even with that tough 12 months, nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a average shock that Verdugo’s market has been so quiet. He’s greater than a 12 months shy of his thirtieth birthday, and from 2019-23 he was a strong common, hitting a mixed .283/.338/.432 with strong or higher nook outfield protection. He averaged two to a few wins above alternative per 162 video games performed throughout that stretch. He may not be an All-Star like some had envisioned throughout his yearslong run as one of many sport’s prime 100 prospects, however Verdugo has typically been a serviceable common exterior of his tough 2024 marketing campaign.

At this level, it appears he may want to attend for an harm to create a chance for him. Whereas there are nonetheless a number of groups that would clearly use a nook outfield improve, most golf equipment in that scenario have both spent the majority of their offseason budgets (e.g. Royals) or proven little to no curiosity in anyway in spending this winter (e.g. Marlins).