After receiving no major league offers since becoming a free agent last winter, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo has finally landed a new opportunity a week before Opening Day.
The veteran outfielder has signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves also announced that Verdugo was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
The #Braves today signed OF Alex Verdugo to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million for the 2025 season, and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 20, 2025
It’s not shocking to see Verdugo get sent down immediately to the minor leagues as he missed most of Spring Training. The veteran outfielder was one of the most notable free agents sitting in the open market who did not get a look from even some of the worst teams in the majors.
However, now the former Red Sox outfielder will get to prove himself with the Braves, who can afford to take a flyer on Verdugo.
Verdugo spent last season with the New York Yankees, slashing .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI. It was a noticeable decline from the 28-year-old’s last season with the Red Sox where he slugged .264/.324/.421 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI in 2023. Verdugo spent four years in Boston after beginning his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The former Red Sox outfielder also had a disappointing performance in the postseason last year with New York, hitting .208 with two doubles, one home run, and eight RBI.
The fact that Verdugo wasn’t signed until a week before Opening Day, is not a good sign of how most of the league views him. Verdugo's manager, Aaron Boone, who coached him last year, was shocked that the left-handed hitter received no interest.
"Maybe a little bit surprised because he’s without question a big-league player and a big-league starting player for me, Boone said (h/t Brendan Kuty of The Athletic). It probably hasn’t lined up money-wise and team-wise and need-wise, but he was great with us."
Therefore, the veteran outfielder needs to play and look like the guy we saw in Boston with the Braves if he wants to return to the majors.