Over his eight-year Major League Baseball career, 28-year-old top star has played for some of the sport’s most iconic teams. He debuted in 2017 as the No. 3 prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system but was soon involved in one of the most talked-about trades in recent memory. The Dodgers dealt him to the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster deal that brought superstar Mookie Betts to Los Angeles.
In Boston, he emerged as a rare bright spot during the team’s disappointing, COVID-shortened 2020 season. While the Red Sox finished last in the American League East with just 24 wins in the 60-game schedule, Verdugo—nicknamed “Dugie” by teammates and fans—posted an impressive .844 OPS, the highest of his career, along with a strong 125 wRC+, a stat that measures offensive productivity with 100 as league average.
In 2021, Verdugo played a key role in Boston’s unexpected resurgence, helping the team win 92 games, secure a Wild Card spot, and make a surprising playoff run to the American League Championship Series. Despite holding a 2-1 series lead, the Red Sox ultimately fell to the Houston Astros in six games.
However, Verdugo’s performance declined in the seasons that followed. His wRC+ dropped to 102 in 2022 and dipped below the league average to 98 in 2023. Additionally, he faced disciplinary issues with Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who questioned Verdugo’s effort and commitment on the field.
From Dodgers to Red Sox to Yankees
The Red Sox had seen enough. That offseason, they traded Verdugo to their archrivals, the New York Yankees—a move that likely reflected their lack of concern about him turning things around. Their instincts proved accurate. After a decent start to the 2024 season, Verdugo’s offensive struggles worsened, as he posted a career-low .647 OPS and a wRC+ of just 83. Once known for his plate discipline, he managed only 49 walks in 621 plate appearances, resulting in a disappointing .291 on-base percentage.
Unsurprisingly, the Yankees let him walk in free agency. Despite his steep decline, Bleacher Report baseball analyst Kerry Miller predicts Verdugo will land with another contender: the Houston Astros.
Houston has dominated the AL West, finishing first in each of the last seven full seasons and taking second place only during the shortened 2020 campaign. Over that stretch, the Astros have reached the World Series four times, winning two championships.
Can ‘Dugie’ Stage a Comeback?
“After a strong start, Verdugo struggled down the stretch, posting a .585 OPS over his final 95 regular-season games,” noted the Bleacher Report writer. “Despite his slump, he remained the Yankees’ starting left fielder throughout their 14 postseason games and even hit a home run in Game 2 of the World Series. The Astros could certainly use a corner outfielder.”
With the Astros trading away three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, they now have an opening in their outfield. However, according to sports business site Spotrac, Verdugo is projected to command a $15.2 million salary in 2025—a raise from the $9.2 million he earned with the Yankees. Interestingly, Houston moved on from Tucker rather than pay the $16.5 million he secured with the Chicago Cubs.
Robert Casey, lead writer for Bleeding Yankee Blue, predicts a “bounce-back” season for Verdugo, whether with Houston or another team. Still, will Verdugo actually rebound? Fangraphs’ projections suggest only modest improvement in 2025, forecasting a .707 OPS, 99 wRC+, and a .316 on-base percentage.
The Astros’ stance on Verdugo’s value should become clear soon, as their first full-squad spring training workout is scheduled for 10 days from today.