The Mystery Of Alex Verdugo

Alex Verdugo remains unsigned, and it just doesn’t seem fair. 

When you compare his situation to Anthony Rizzo’s, the contrast is striking. Sure, you can argue that Rizzo is nearing the end of his career while Verdugo still has some prime years left, but both players can still hit. At this point, it’s all about what teams need this spring and whether they’re willing to take a chance.

I’ve made my case that the Yankees could easily sign one of these guys on a short-term deal to help stabilize the lineup while Giancarlo Stanton recovers. You can talk all you want about righty vs. lefty matchups and throw around statistics, but the bottom line is this: both players can hit home runs, and either one could step in to provide some needed depth. But let’s be real—if the Yankees were going to make a move for Verdugo or Rizzo, it probably would have happened by now.

Verdugo was an interesting figure in 2024. He hit .233, which wasn’t exactly impressive, but he brought energy to the team, often leading the charge in the dugout. Brendan Kuty spoke with some current Yankees about why he’s still available, and their responses were telling.

“I’m surprised,” Aaron Judge said when asked about Verdugo’s situation, according to Kuty. “He’s such a great player. He brings so much value and versatility to a team.”

Kuty also got a comment from Anthony Volpe, though I’ll be honest—I don’t put much stock in what Volpe has to say. He doesn’t strike me as a leader, and frankly, I find him a bit immature. That said, here’s what he had to offer: “I don’t really know what to say or whether or not people want to talk about it or not, but he’s grinding. He’s putting a lot of work in in Arizona.”

The reality is, Verdugo is still a big-league-caliber player. His free agency has dragged on, but that could change as teams reassess their rosters early in the season. The Yankees, for all their posturing, could use a player like Verdugo. One season of his contributions would be a clear upgrade over the mess they’re currently dealing with. Yet, for some reason, they seem to think they’re too good for him.

I’m here to say that the Yankees are a disaster right now, and Verdugo could help. It’s time for Brian Cashman to swallow his pride and make a move. Your own players are advocating for this guy. Use your head, Cashman—Verdugo is still a valuable asset.