Market heating up for free agent Yankees outfielder, several teams ‘involved’

According Chris Cotillo of MassLive the Mets, Astros, Blue Jays and Angels are among the teams that have checked in on the outfielder. Robert Murray of FanSided reported Tuesday that the Pirates are also interested in Verdugo. From Cotillo: Pirates are indeed hot after Alex Verdugo and are a team to watch there, as @ByRobertMurray reported. Other teams like Mets, Jays involved, too. Adding two other teams to this mix, with Pirates leading the pack: Astros and Angels at least checked in like Toronto, Mets did. The Yankees acquired Verdugo, 28, from the Red Sox last December but his offensive production plummeted in his walk year. In 2024 he hit 233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI. There’s a need in Houston for a player like Verdugo, with Astros general manager Dana Brown saying they’d like a lefty-hitting outfielder after the Kyle Tucker trade. After the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in the World Series this past year, Verdugo expressed his interest in staying in the Bronx. But it’s unlikely after the worst year of his career. “I just really started thinking about it right now,” Verdugo said about his free agency. “We’ve got some things to think about. I definitely want to be back in pinstripes to help us win one.” In terms of the Mets outfielder situation, they have Brandon Nimmo in left field, a combination of Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor in center, and Juan Soto in right. They also have Starling Marte, who will spend more time as the designated hitter in 2025. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.