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Alex Verdugo Sends Clear Message Explaining Failed Yankees Tenure

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated May 6, 2025 1:14 PM ET

New York Yankees fans spent most of the 2024 season wondering when and if left fielder Alex Verdugo would ever find his groove at the plate.

Verdugo never did, and he subsequently spent most of the offseason unsigned. However, the 28-year-old is off to a torrid start with the Atlanta Braves, hitting .322 with seven doubles, seven RBI, and a .825 OPS over his first 65 plate appearances.

In a recent interview with Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Verdugo said the year-over-year changes aren’t an accident.

“I deviated from my plan and got a little lost in my own self,” Verdugo told Rosenthal, who relayed the outfielder’s comments in The Athletic.

Alex Verdugo delivers a game-tying double! pic.twitter.com/1kwbrsPRN0
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 23, 2025

Verdugo’s plan, he explained, is working counts and infuriating opposing pitchers. The 2014 second-round pick admitted he was too aggressive last season, resulting in a career-worst .233 average.

Verdugo spent most of his lone Yankees campaign in fans’ crosshairs, posting only 0.8 bWAR in 149 games. Although Verdugo tied a career-high with 13 home runs, his .291 on-base percentage and .356 slugging percentage marked his lowest over a full season.

“Trying to force the issue at the plate, he would spin off and become too rotational, and it led to weak contact,” Rosenthal wrote.

It’s too early to know if Verdugo’s stellar first weeks with the Braves are a sign of things to come. However, Verdugo is certainly hitting well at the right time, and it’d be hard to blame any team setting their eyes on the veteran outfielder.

Remember, Verdugo only inked a one-year contract with the Braves. It’s not unrealistic to think he can turn a solid comeback campaign into a multi-year deal in the offseason, especially ahead of his 29th birthday.

Just don’t expect the Yankees to come calling, even if Verdugo maintains his current approach at the plate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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