Alex Verdugo, the former New York Yankees outfielder, remains unsigned as the 2025 season begins. Verdugo had a polarizing 2024 season, hitting .233/.291/.356 but bringing a lot of energy to the team. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe provided an update, saying Verdugo is working hard in Arizona, preparing for the season. Despite his uneven performance last year, Verdugo seems ready for a comeback. While a return to the Yankees is unlikely, his former teammates, including Aaron Judge, believe he brings significant value to any team.
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The New York Yankees are gearing up for a new season with an overhauled roster, aiming to return to the World Series in 2025. They’ve added key players like Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Devin Williams, while saying goodbye to familiar faces such as Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto. Another player who left the team last season, Alex Verdugo, might not be as memorable but has certainly left an impact.
Verdugo, an outfielder, had a polarizing 2024 season. He hit just .233/.291/.356 but brought a lot of energy to the team, often seen cheering loudly in the dugout. As the 2025 season kicked off in Tokyo, Verdugo remained unsigned. The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reached out to some current Yankees players to understand why Verdugo is still available.
“I am surprised,” Aaron Judge said of Verdugo’s availability. “He’s such a great player. He brings so much value and versatility to a team.”
Verdugo’s agent did not respond to Kuty’s request for comment, but Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe provided an update on how Verdugo is spending his time. “I don’t really know what to say or whether or not people want to talk about it or not, but he’s grinding. He’s putting a lot of work in in Arizona,” Volpe said. “He’s basically getting everything he would be able to get without being part of a team.”
“I think he’s definitely ready to go,” Volpe added. “I think this is going to be a really good chapter in his story, and we all wish him the best because there’s not many guys that have done the things he’s done in his career and introduced those kinds of stat lines and stuff like that. It’s pretty crazy that no one values that.”
Despite his up-and-down 2024 season, Verdugo still seems like a legitimate big-league player. As his free agency continues, it’s possible that the right fit will open up as teams make early-season adjustments to their rosters. However, a return to the Yankees appears unlikely, even though Verdugo’s former teammates would like to have him back.
