The upcoming offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one for former New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo.
After being traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Yankees, a move that drew significant attention due to the rivalry between the two teams, Verdugo had a lot to prove. While the Red Sox were not in contention for a division title like the Yankees, the trade still felt personal, as they sent him to their arch-nemesis. Unfortunately, Verdugo’s 2024 performance was underwhelming, especially after a promising start. Following a memorable home run against the Red Sox in his first game back at Fenway Park in mid-May, he posted a dismal slash line of .205/.267/.287 over his final 80 games.
Verdugo’s strikeout to end the World Series likely sealed his fate with the Yankees, but a potential opportunity may await him with a West Coast team that could offer a chance to revitalize his career.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, potentially looking to trade an outfielder like Jake McCarthy, could be a good fit for Verdugo. Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com speculated that the Arizona native, who attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, might return to his roots by signing with the Diamondbacks as a free agent.
“Given some of the D-backs’ lineup losses to free agency, I could see the Arizona native landing here,” Caldera said.
At 28, Verdugo posted an 83 OPS+ and just 0.8 bWAR in 2024, meaning Arizona would be hoping for a bounce-back year. Over four seasons with the Red Sox, Verdugo recorded a 105 OPS+, and his solid outfield defense could make him a valuable starting player again.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic projected Verdugo could sign a two-year, $26 million deal, a relatively modest contract for any team, including Arizona. However, with McCarthy, Corbin Carroll, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. already under contract, it would be difficult to find room for Verdugo without a corresponding trade.