The San Diego Padres may need a contingency plan if they are unable to re-sign outfielder Jurickson Profar, and one potential option could be former Los Angeles Dodger Alex Verdugo.
According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Verdugo, now a free agent, could be a target for the Padres should Profar sign elsewhere.
The New York Yankees acquired Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox last December, but his struggles during his contract year diminished his value in free agency. In his only season with the Yankees, the 29-year-old posted a disappointing .233/.291/.356 slash line with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs.
“Verdugo was the starting left fielder for the American League champion Yankees but had a down year offensively,” Bowden noted. “He’s a solid defender, plays with intensity, and is respected in the clubhouse. If the Padres can’t retain Profar, Verdugo could be an option. Otherwise, he might find himself as a fourth outfielder elsewhere. Teams like the Giants, Pirates, and Diamondbacks could look at him as a depth addition.”
Although Verdugo has yet to reach the star potential some predicted, he remains a reliable corner outfielder. Between 2019 and 2023, he hit .283/.338/.432 over 2,448 plate appearances with the Dodgers and Red Sox, performing about six percent above league average while earning strong defensive marks, particularly in Defensive Runs Saved.
While Verdugo lacks significant power—his career-high of 13 home runs was matched in 2024—he makes consistent contact, with a career strikeout rate of just 15.1 percent. He has also shown a knack for hitting doubles, ranking fifth in the majors in that category since 2020.
Verdugo’s struggles at the plate led to a benching in September in favor of top prospect Jasson Domínguez. However, his defensive skills kept him as the Yankees’ starting left fielder during the postseason.
With the Yankees adding Cody Bellinger, who is likely to play center or left field, Aaron Judge returning to right field, and Domínguez expected to assume an everyday role in 2025, it appears Verdugo’s time in New York is coming to an end.
Leave a Reply