The New York Yankees decided to move on from outfielder Alex Verdugo this offseason and the former Yankee has yet to sign a contract to play elsewhere.
Brendan Duty of The Athletic reported Verdugo has yet to receive a single major league contract offer. The fact that Verdugo remains unsigned has utterly shocked his former manager Aaron Boone.
"Maybe a little bit surprised because he's without question a big-league player and a big-league starting player, for me," Boone was quoted as saying. "It just probably hasn't lined up money-wise and team-wise and need-wise, but he was great with us."
Yankees captain Aaron Judge also shared his confusion in this development.
"I am surprised," Judge said, according to Duty. "He's such a great player. He brings so much value and versatility to a team."
With the backing of seemingly the entire coaching staff and locker room paired with the Giancarlo Stanton-sized hole in the designated hitter spot, the Yankees could look to reunite with Verdugo this season.
Stanton's potentially looking at a season-ending injury. Adding Verdugo to replace him might not be the worst option. Let me explain.
Obviously the 28-year-old has the backing of Boone and Judge. Adding him wouldn't stick him in the DH slot for 162 games like Stanton's role. Adding him would allow the Yankees to be more flexible with their outfield. This could turn the DH slot into a makeshift off day for players like Judge and Jasson Dominguez.
It won't come at the price tag Spotrac put on him before the offseason (four years, $60 million), but a one year deal worth around $10 million could be in play.
