In 2024, the New York Yankees reached the World Series for the first time since 2009 despite having two current free agents penciled in to their starting lineup every day.
Those players were first baseman Anthony Rizzo and left fielder Alex Verdugo. As mentioned, both players remain unsigned, and Rizzo reportedly turned down multiple offers he felt were underwhelming.
Verdugo reached a minor league agreement with the Atlanta Braves in late March but was released by the beginning of June. He was a light-hitting defensive specialist last season with the Yankees. Can he help another postseason club this October?
Should a Team Give the former Yankee a Chance?
New York Yankees fans grew increasingly frustrated with Verdugo last season when his offense spiraled. He tied his career-high with 14 double plays and often made soft contact to the right side of the infield.
In 149 games in 2024, Verdugo hit .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and a .647 OPS. His below-average offensive production and solid defense kept him in the Yankees’ lineup, but it didn’t guarantee him a job in free agency.
“Still just 28 years old this spring, he [Verdugo] finally agreed to a minor league deal with Atlanta in late March, which turned into a spot on the big league roster not long after the Braves lost Jurickson Profar to an 80-game suspension,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller about Verdugo.
“He did have a pair of four-hit games almost immediately after getting called up and ended April with a .341 batting average. As soon as Profar was eligible to return, though, Atlanta kicked Verdugo and his 213 plate appearances without a single home run to the curb.”
Several clubs needed an extra outfielder at the trade deadline, but MLB insiders reported nearly no mention of Verudgo’s name.
“And there he sits once again, unsigned for over a month at this point, even as teams like the Guardians, Royals, and Phillies could put just about any warm body with outfield experience to some use,” wrote Miller.”
Players Teams Will Consider if They Hit the Waiver Wire
Teams seeking an outfielder may consider Verdugo’s name on the free agent list. Released players must be claimed before August 31 to be eligible for the postseason.
Aside from Verudgo, Miller tabbed Michael A. Taylor, Tommy Pham, and Mike Yastrzemski as players on the grass that can help postseason contenders. All three players are on non-contending teams that could save some money down the stretch.
“Waiver trades haven’t been a thing since 2019, but waivers still very much exist,” wrote Miller. “If one team releases a player and another claims him before he clears waivers, the new team assumes responsibility for the remainder of his contract, making it a cost-saving option for teams with impending free agents and nothing left to play for.”
The Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates are already out of the postseason race, but the Kansas City Royals are just four games back of the New York Yankees for the third and final American League Wild Card spot.
Yastrzemski, a free agent at season’s end, may stick around with the Royals if he can help them with their chase of a postseason push.
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