Honestly, if you’ve been trying to track down Alex Verdugo current team lately, you’re probably more than a little confused. One minute he’s the high-energy spark plug for the Boston Red Sox, the next he’s donning the pinstripes in the Bronx, and then... things get quiet.
Really quiet.
As we roll through January 2026, the reality for Alexander Brady Verdugo is a bit of a gut punch for fans who remember his peak years. He’s currently a free agent.
He isn't on a 40-man roster. He doesn't have a spring training invite yet. After a rocky 2025 that saw him go from a late-offseason flyer to being cut loose by a National League contender, the man they call "Dugie" is looking for a job.
The Atlanta Experiment That Failed
To understand why he's sitting at home right now, you have to look at what happened last year.
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After his 2024 stint with the New York Yankees ended on a sour note—literally being the final out of the World Series—Verdugo hit a frigid free-agent market. Nobody bit for months. Finally, on March 20, 2025, the Atlanta Braves took a gamble, signing him to a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
It was a "show me" contract.
Atlanta didn't even put him on the big league roster at first. They sent him to Triple-A Gwinnett just to get him into "baseball shape" because he’d missed all of spring training. When he finally got the call-up in mid-April, there was a glimmer of hope. He actually started hot, hitting over .300 in his first few weeks.
Then the wheels fell off.
Between May and July, his production didn't just dip; it cratered. He was slashing an anemic .239/.296/.289. He didn't hit a single home run in 56 games for Atlanta. When Jurickson Profar returned from a suspension in July, the Braves didn't hesitate. They designated Verdugo for assignment on July 2, 2025, and released him shortly after.
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Why Teams Are Hesitant in 2026
It’s weird to think that a guy who was once the centerpiece of the Mookie Betts trade is now struggling to find a bench spot. But baseball is a "what have you done for me lately" business.
- The Power Outage: In a corner outfield spot, teams want home runs. Verdugo’s power has basically vanished. Going a full half-season without a long ball in Atlanta was the final straw for many scouts.
- The "Batting Glove" Mystery: During his time with the Yankees, Verdugo famously claimed his struggles were partly due to an allergy to the cobalt and chromate in his batting gloves. While he found alternatives, the narrative that he’s "high maintenance" or prone to odd excuses has unfortunately stuck in some front offices.
- Declining Metrics: His range in the outfield is still okay—he’s got a cannon for an arm—but his sprint speed has slowed down.
He’s only 29 years old. Usually, that’s a player's prime. Instead, Verdugo is facing the same crossroads many "average" veterans face: adapt or be forced into retirement.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Yankees Tenure
A lot of fans think his time in New York was a total disaster. That’s not quite fair.
He played 149 games in 2024. He was a Gold Glove finalist. He brought an "edge" to a clubhouse that often looked stale. But when you’re playing next to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, a .233 batting average looks like a gaping hole in the lineup.
The Yankees were never going to bring him back once Jasson Dominguez got healthy. They needed elite production, and Verdugo provided "vibes" and defense, which doesn't pay $10 million a year anymore.
Where Could He Land Next?
Since he's a free agent, the rumors are swirling, but they aren't the "blockbuster" kind.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays were linked to him briefly last winter, and those same names are popping up again. He’s likely looking at a minor-league contract with a non-roster invitation (NRI) to spring training.
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Basically, he has to go to camp and win a job against 22-year-old prospects.
It’s a humbling spot for a guy who has 70 career home runs and a lifetime .270 average. If a team needs a left-handed bat off the bench who can play all three outfield spots in a pinch, he’s still a viable option. But the days of Alex Verdugo being a guaranteed starter on a winning team? Those might be over unless he finds a way to rediscover his 2020-2021 form.
Actions for Following Verdugo’s 2026 Journey
If you're a fan of Dugie or just curious if he can pull off a comeback, here is what you need to watch over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Waiver Wire and NRI Signings: The "second wave" of free agency usually happens in late January and early February. If Verdugo hasn't signed by the time pitchers and catchers report, he might be looking at a mid-season signing or even a stint in the Mexican League to rebuild his value.
- Check the Statcast Data: If he does sign, look at his "Hard Hit %" in spring training. His failure in 2025 was driven by soft contact. If he isn't hitting the ball hard, he won't make a major league roster.
- Watch the "Corner" Market: Teams like the White Sox, Athletics, or even a reunion with a team needing depth like the Marlins are the most likely landing spots. He needs a team that isn't afraid to let him play through slumps.
The story of Alex Verdugo current team is currently a blank page. Whether he writes a comeback chapter or fades into the "what could have been" category of MLB history depends entirely on his health and whether his swing still has some life left in it.