The Diamondbacks’ Next Big Catch: Yankees’ $26 Million Outfielder Predicted to Make Shocking Move to Arizona
It’s going to be an interesting offseason for former New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo.
After arriving in the Bronx via trade with the hated Boston Red Sox, Verdugo had something to prove. Sure, the Red Sox weren’t expected to contend for a division title like the Yankees were, but how could they just offload him to their arch-nemesis?
Unfortunately, Verdugo was awful at the plate in 2024, especially after a relatively hot start. After homering against the Red Sox in his grand return to Fenway Park in mid-May, he slashed .205/.267/.287 over his final 80 games.
When Verdugo struck out to end the World Series, he likely sealed his fate as a Yankee. But there’s a West Coast team who just might have room on the roster to help him rejuvenate his career.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, who might be willing to trade away an outfielder in Jake McCarthy, are an interesting fit. Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com predicted that Verdugo, who attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, would sign with the Diamondbacks as a free agent.
“Given some of the D-backs’ lineup losses to free agency, (I) could see the Arizona native landing here,” Caldera said.
Verdugo, 28, had an 83 OPS+ and just 0.8 bWAR in 2024, so Arizona would be banking on a resurgence. He had a 105 OPS+ across four years in Boston, which, when combined with his excellent outfield defense, could make him a reasonably valuable starter.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic projects Verdugo for a two-year, $26 million contract, which isn’t a huge expenditure for Arizona or any team. But with McCarthy, Corbin Carroll, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. under contract, it’s hard to see a fit for Verdugo without a trade happening in tandem.
