The Atlanta Braves have signed veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, the team announced Thursday. As part of the deal, Verdugo has been optioned to the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the contract allows for one minor league demotion.
Verdugo played 149 games for the New York Yankees in 2024, finishing the season with 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, and a .233/.291/.356 slash line. It was his worst offensive performance since his rookie year in 2017. His .283 wOBA and 83 wRC+ were well below his career averages, per FanGraphs.
Despite his struggles at the plate, the lack of interest in Verdugo during free agency was surprising. The Athletic reported early this week that the Yankees reliable outfielder had not received a single offer in his first year on the open market.
Verdugo brings defensive value with his versatility in the outfield, having experience at all three positions. His home-and-road splits suggest a change of scenery could be beneficial. He posted a .628 OPS in 300 plate appearances at Yankee Stadium compared to a .665 OPS on the road, showing that the short porch in right field did not necessarily work in his favor.
For the Braves, signing Verdugo presents little risk while adding depth to an outfield filled with uncertainty. Ronald Acuña Jr. is working his way back from a second ACL injury, and Jurickson Profar’s strong 2024 campaign may not be sustainable. Meanwhile, Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz have not provided significant upgrades.
With multiple options available, manager Brian Snitker now has the flexibility to experiment with different outfield combinations while Acuña recovers. If Verdugo can regain his offensive form, he could prove to be a valuable piece for Atlanta in 2025.