Alex Verdugo’s career in Major League Baseball has taken another unexpected turn with his recent one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Based on reporting from Gio Rivera of NESN, Verdugo’s off-field concerns have played a major role in shaping his career. Verdugo has an opportunity to prove himself, but questions remain about his professionalism and consistency. Verdugo’s talent has never been in doubt, but his behavior has raised flags for multiple teams.
Alex Verdugo’s Off-Field Issues Have Followed Him
Throughout his career, Verdugo has faced criticism for immaturity and tardiness, issues that date back to his days as a top prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers. These concerns have stunted his growth as a player and made it difficult for teams to fully trust him.
The Boston Red Sox, who once saw Verdugo as a key piece in the Mookie Betts trade, lost patience with him two offseasons ago. They sent him to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitching prospects Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. With the Yankees, Verdugo entered a “breakout or get out” season that unfolded in predictable fashion. His struggles included an August slump, which he attributed to an allergic reaction to a tattoo, and a disappointing finish to the year as the final out in the World Series-clinching game for the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.
Even after earning a Gold Glove nomination, Verdugo’s offensive production declined, and teams, including the Yankees, showed little interest in pursuing him during free agency.
A Limited Free-Agent Market
Verdugo entered the offseason in search of a fresh start, but his market was surprisingly quiet. The Yankees explored the possibility of re-signing him but ultimately went in a different direction, trading for Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs, effectively ending any chance of a reunion.
While there was some interest in Verdugo, it was lukewarm at best. Teams like the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates showed little enthusiasm for bringing him in. Ultimately, he settled for a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Braves—a contract that reflects teams’ doubts about his reliability as a long-term option, despite his defensive skills.
Can Verdugo Make the Most of His Opportunity?
Despite the concerns surrounding his professionalism, Verdugo still has supporters in baseball. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that Verdugo’s hitting ability remains, even though his overall numbers from 2024 (.233 batting average, 13 home runs, 61 RBI) fell short of expectations.
“I think he can really hit,” Boone said, per Brandon Kuty of The Athletic. “That hasn’t changed. But he went through some struggles there in the middle of the season, but also I think there was some unluckiness there, too, where he had a few days where he was squaring the ball up a lot. I think he put together a lot of at-bats in the postseason for us, and obviously was terrific in our left field. I think there’s more upside in there offensively, too.”
Now with the Braves, Verdugo has yet another chance to prove he can be more than just a talented but inconsistent player. If he can refine his approach and avoid off-field distractions, he may be able to rebuild his reputation and position himself for a stronger contract next offseason.
Main Photo: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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