Thu Mar 20 18:00:00 UTC 2025: **Yankees Express Surprise at Verdugo’s Free Agency Status**

TAMPA, FL – Former New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo’s surprising lack of a major league contract has left several of his former teammates baffled. Despite a strong World Series performance and positive clubhouse presence, the 28-year-old remains unsigned.

Multiple Yankees, including Aaron Judge, Aaron Boone, and Marcus Stroman, expressed surprise at Verdugo’s free agency status, highlighting his value and consistent big-league performance. While acknowledging a potential mismatch in financial expectations and team needs, they emphasized Verdugo’s contributions both on and off the field.

A league source revealed to The Athletic that Verdugo hasn’t received a single major league offer since becoming a free agent. This is particularly noteworthy as he was one of only two Yankees starters from last year’s World Series team currently without a contract, the other being Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo reportedly wants to continue playing but is unwilling to accept a below-market offer.

Verdugo’s 2024 season saw a dip in offensive production (.233 batting average, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs), compared to his career .281 average. While his offensive performance declined in the second half of the season, his reliable defense and positive clubhouse influence remained consistent, according to teammates. They praised his dedication and his crucial contributions to the team, culminating in a memorable, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, defensive play in the World Series.

The Yankees appear to have moved on, planning to fill left field with top prospect Jasson Domínguez, and citing budget constraints and injuries to several key players as reasons for not pursuing Verdugo’s re-signing. Despite this, several players spoke highly of Verdugo, describing him as a valuable teammate and a player with considerable remaining potential. His agent, Dan Lozano, did not respond to requests for comment.

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