Oct 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) throws a fly ball back to the infield during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals during game four of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

mlb

Alex Verdugo’s Free Agency Finally Concludes with Braves Deal

$1.5 million contract for the 2025 season

After an unexpectedly long wait in free agency, Alex Verdugo has finally found a new home. The Atlanta Braves signed the veteran outfielder to a one-year, $1.5 million contract for the 2025 season, assigning him to Triple-A Gwinnett to start the year. The move was announced Thursday afternoon.

Verdugo, 28, struggled at the plate in 2024 with the New York Yankees, hitting just .233 with a .291 on-base percentage and an 83 OPS+ across 149 games. Despite the offensive downturn, he remained a defensive asset, ranking in the 77th percentile for range and placing among the top 10 percent in arm strength and arm value, according to Baseball Savant.

ALSO READ: Is Ben Rice a Lock for Yankees’ DH?

His durability has also been a key factor in his appeal. Verdugo has played at least 140 games in every full season since 2019, proving to be a reliable option in the outfield. He spent 2024 as the Yankees’ primary left fielder after playing right field for the Boston Red Sox in 2023. His versatility allows him to cover all three outfield spots, though he has primarily been used in corner roles.

While his offensive numbers dipped last season, his 34.9% hard-hit rate was his lowest since 2020, he still managed to contribute with his glove. His strong arm, which ranked in MLB’s 94th percentile, helped him post two Outs Above Average in 2024.

Verdugo will begin ramping up in minor league camp before potentially joining the Braves’ major league roster. With his defensive skills and track record of consistency, Atlanta could soon call him up to bolster its outfield depth as the 2025 season progresses.

Alex Verdugo

Braves

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.