After all, Alex Verdugo has a new home.
The former Yankees outfielder signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Braves on Thursday. According to John Heyman in the postEnds the free agency that was pulled out for veterans.
Verdugo will begin the season with Triple-A Gwinnett, according to Heyman.
The New Deal comes just days after Athletic reported that 28-year-old Verdugo had not yet received his major league offer about a week before the league-wide opening day.
Yankees star Judge Aaron said he was “shocked” that Verdugo hadn't caught up with his team late in the spring.
“He's such a great player,” the judge told the outlet. “He brings so much value and versatility to the team.”
However, Verdougo's play for the Bronx bombers last season wasn't that great.
In his first and only season in New York, Verdugo hit .233/.291/.356 with just 13 home runs in 621 plate appearances, spending most of his time on the left field.
Before the Dodgers' World Series win in Game 5, Verdougo expressed his desire to wear pinstripes again, beyond the 2024 season.
“I know it wasn't my best personal year in attack,” Verdugo said before Fate Game 5.
“I think there is [the possibility] Maybe I'll be able to come back someday. If it doesn't happen next year, it could be another year. But I would like to come back and show you the type of player I really are. I think we looked at it defensively and sometimes offensively, but I'm usually much more consistent. ”
Instead, the Yankees could pass the left field spot on opening day to youngster Jasson Dominguez.
The franchise was also traded for Cody Bellinger. Cody Bellinger spends most of his time at Centerfield, with the judge shifting to the right.
