Alex Verdugo accused of ‘misplaying free agency’ by insider
The veteran outfielder was forced to accept a last-minute, one-year offer from the Braves.
One week before their season opener against the San Diego Padres, the Atlanta Braves signed Alex Verdugo to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Although the veteran outfielder was coming off the worst season of his career in 2024, his poor showing in free agency surprised many observers.
Throughout his career, Verdugo has been, for the most part, a solid contact hitter who offers positional versatility in the outfield. But he nearly found himself without a team at the start of the 2025 season.
Alex Verdugo scarcely misplayed a ball in left field for the Yankees last year… But boy did he ever misplay free agency,” Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote, via si.com.
“The Pirates pursued and were prepared to sign Verdugo early, floating $8M plus (but eventually used that same money for Tommy Pham and Andrew Heaney),” Heyman added.
Alex Verdugo bet on himself and lost this offseason
It’s clear the free-agent market Verdugo anticipated simply never materialized. With the regular season fast approaching, he had to accept the Braves offer. Now, after missing all of spring training, Verdugo will head to the minors so he can get himself into playing shape.
