Yankees Could Reunite With $60 Million Star Following Shocking Report
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.
Yankees Starter Makes Cryptic Comment About Ex-Teammate’s Situation
The New York Yankees made significant changes to their outfield this offseason. They lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets and brought in Cody Bellinger via trade. The team also opted not to re-sign Alex Verdugo. Verdugo remains unsigned and Marcus Stroman had some cryptic comments when asked why he thinks that is. “Yes, I am (surprised),” Stroman told The Athletic. “That’s all I’m going to say on it. But a lot of things surprise in this game nowadays. Just keep it at that.” Stroman’s comments about being surprised by things around the league could stem from his own offseason experience. The Yankees reportedly shopped Stroman this winter but were unable to move him. That made for an awkward arrival to spring training for him. Now, with injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil,
Stroman will be leaned on to start games when just a few weeks ago the team was contemplating making him come out of the bullpen. Verdugo did not have the best season for the Yankees, but for him to not have a new team is puzzling. He had a .233 batting average and 13 home runs after the Yankees signed him to a one-year, $8.7 million deal, avoiding arbitration. Stroman went on to share his thoughts on Verdugo as a teammate as well. “Incredible teammate,” Stroman told The Athletic. “Incredible dude.”
