Why Alex Verdugo is still a free agent

A few years ago, Alex Verdugo was seen as a rising star, a key piece in the Mookie Betts trade that was supposed to help the Boston Red Sox remain competitive. As the 2025 MLB season begins, Verdugo remains unsigned, without a single reported major-league offer. How did he go from a starting outfielder for the Yankees to an afterthought in free agency?

The answer seems to be a combination of declining production, clubhouse concerns and teams questioning whether he’s worth the trouble.

Verdugo’s early years in Boston showed promise, with a .308 average in the shortened 2020 season and solid production in 2021. However, his offensive numbers have steadily declined since then. His power never fully developed, and his on-base skills didn’t improve enough to make up for it. By 2023, his final season with the Red Sox, he hit .264 with just 13 home runs and 54 RBI—decent numbers but nothing special for a corner outfielder.

The Yankees took a chance on him in 2024, hoping a change of scenery would spark a resurgence. Instead, Verdugo struggled even more, posting a .233 batting average with an identical 13 home runs and 61 RBI. He played in 149 games, but his offensive inconsistencies kept him from being a true impact player.

In today’s MLB, teams prioritize power, elite defense or strong on-base skills from their outfielders. Verdugo doesn’t stand out in any of those categories. He’s a solid defender but not a Gold Glove-caliber one, and his offense has been average at best. With the free-agent market flooded with outfielders this offseason, it’s easy to see why teams have looked elsewhere.

Beyond the numbers, Verdugo’s reputation may also be working against him. In 2023, his relationship with then-Red Sox manager Alex Cora became a storyline, with reports of Verdugo being benched for showing up late to games. Cora publicly criticized him, calling one incident “one of my worst days here in this organization.” While these issues don’t always deter teams, they raise red flags about his commitment and professionalism.

Some believed their no-nonsense clubhouse would keep him focused when he was traded to the Yankees. But his performance remained inconsistent, and the Yankees decided to move on rather than bring him back on a short-term deal. If a team like New York—known for investing in proven veterans — wasn’t interested, it suggests that teams around the league might share similar concerns.

At just 28 years old, Verdugo should still have something left in the tank. His best bet may be waiting for an injury to open up a roster spot or taking a minor-league deal to prove himself again.

For now, though, Verdugo’s free agency is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough to guarantee a long MLB career. If teams don’t believe a player can contribute consistently, or if they see him as more trouble than he’s worth, they’ll move on.