Yankees ‘Surprised’ Ex-Red Sox Alex Verdugo Hasn’t Landed Job

The New York Yankees are pulling for Alex Verdugo.

It’s been over four months since Verdugo and the Yankees lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking his final game with the organization. The 28-year-old entered the offseason as a free agent, hoping to locate a new landing spot before spring training began, but so far, the open market has been bleak for Verdugo.

“I am surprised,” Yankees star Aaron Judge said, per The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. “He’s such a great player. He brings so much value and versatility to a team.”

Verdugo joined the Yankees last offseason after getting traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Brox, in exchange for pitching prospects Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert and Nicholas Judice. The swap gave Verdugo a clean slate, surrounded by veteran sluggers like Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, and another opportunity to assemble a breakout season before hitting free agency. That didn’t happen, and instead, Verdugo has been forced to face a humbling fate, triggering a uniformed reaction from those still in New York.

“Yes, I am (surprised),” Marcus Stroman said, per Kuty. “That’s all I’m going to say on it. But a lot of things surprise in this game nowadays. Just keep it at that.”

Stroman added: “Incredible teammate. Incredible dude.”

New York provided Verdugo the chance to elevate his stock value and shatter a new ceiling as a big-league hitter. He played in 149 games, batting .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs, all while attributing his subpar offensive production to an allergic reaction caused by his tattoo ink and batting gloves. The Yankees, putting aside Verdugo’s latest excuse, stuck with the left-handed hitter instead of promoting prospect Jasson Domínguez to take over in left field.

Verdugo did finish a finalist for an American League Gold Glove Award — behind Colton Cowser of the Baltimore Orioles and Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians. But even Verdugo’s six defensive runs saved and seven outfield assists haven’t been enough to convince a front office to take a flier.

The Yankees, although surprised — or at least they claim — didn’t extend Verdugo an offer either for a re-run.

“I think he can really hit,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, per Kuty. “That hasn’t changed. But he went into some struggles there in the middle of the season, but also I think there was some unluckiness there, too, where he had 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.”

The Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates were rumored to have had an interest in taking a chance on Verdugo, but nothing came of the links. Pittsburgh instead signed fellow ex-Red Sox outfielder Tommy Pham to a one-year, $4.25 million contract, eliminating the Pirates as a possibility with Opening Day right around the corner for most teams.