What MLB Teams Reportedly ‘Wondering’ About Alex Verdugo

Alex Verdugo’s stock has been fairly high for the bulk of his Major League Baseball career.

Verdugo, a 2014 second-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers, was the hallmark of the Red Sox’s return in their blockbuster Mookie Betts trade. The New York Yankees, meanwhile, saw enough in Verdugo to execute a very rare move for the storied franchise: a trade with Boston.

The new opportunity in the Bronx didn’t work out, though. Verdugo posted a .233 batting average — the worst full-season mark of his career — and seemingly was in legitimate danger of losing his starting role to a prospect. An expiring contract made Verdugo’s downturn particularly untimely, and it could impact his first foray into free agency.

“His offense cratered this season and left teams wondering whether he’s primed for a bounce-back season or, at 28, trending the wrong way younger than expected,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote in a column published Tuesday.

It’s probably too early to call Verdugo a lost cause in the big leagues. He’s still young and has too much raw talent. But the veteran outfielder probably will have to sign a “prove-it” deal this offseason, and it remains to be seen if he will capitalize on a new opportunity.

Teams interested in giving Verdugo that chance also are unclear but returns to Boston and New York both seem unlikely.