Padres take low-cost flier on Alex Verdugo

The San Diego Padres had been interested in outfielder Alex Verdugo in the past. They finally got their man on Sunday.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres and Verdugo agreed to a minor league contract. Although spring training is well underway, Verdugo will have a chance to compete for a reserve spot on the Padres roster.

Verdugo has struggled over the past two seasons with the Yankees and Braves. He had produced a .234/.292/.339 batting line over a combined 834 plate appearances, hitting 13 homers and 38 doubles. His lack of production led to the Braves cutting him loose in July, as he remained a free agent until signing with the Padres.

Alex Verdugo a worthwhile flier for San Diego Padres

While Verdugo had not been a star, he was a solid player for the Dodgers and Red Sox. He posted a .283/.338/.432 batting line over 2448 plate appearances between 2019 and 2023, hitting 55 homers and 146 doubles. 

The Padres outfield is seemingly set as Opening Day approaches. Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Ramon Laureano are the expected starters from right to left, with Miguel Andujar and Bryce Johnson the likely backups. Gavin Sheets and Nick Castellanos will be at first, but both players have experience in the outfield as well. Likewise, KBO utility man Sung-Mun Song is expected to see time in the outfield as the Padres look to expand his defensive profile.

However, there could be a place for Verdugo if he has a strong showing during spring training. Johnson hit well in Triple-A but needs to show that his strong showing over an 84-plate-appearance sample in 2025 is not a fluke. Song may not take as well to the outfield as the Padres hope. If Verdugo can rediscover the form he showed from 2019 through 2023, he could find a place on the Padres roster.