Braves sign free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo
With MLB's opening day a week away, one of the last major unsigned free agents has finally found a home.
Outfielder Alex Verdugo, who played last season on the New York Yankees' pennant-winning squad, has signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Thursday.
Verdugo, a former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect who was traded to Boston in the blockbuster Mookie Betts deal, is a .272 career hitter over eight major league seasons.
After going to New York last winter in a rare Red Sox-Yankees trade, he slipped to a .233/.291/.356 slash line with 13 home runs in 149 games.
Verdugo served as the Yankees' primary left fielder during the 2024 playoffs, hitting .208/.309/.313 with one home run and eight RBI in 14 games. However, the Yankees chose not to re-sign him this offseason.
After signing Verdugo, the Braves optioned him to Class AAA Gwinnett (Ga.).