As the New York Yankees gear up for an offseason that could shape their 2025 campaign, the team is heavily involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Soto’s potential addition would significantly bolster their roster, but his decision isn’t the only factor shaping the Yankees’ plans. Alongside pursuing Soto, the Yankees face critical decisions regarding current players, including whether to re-sign Alex Verdugo.

Yankees expected to part ways with veteran to make room for top prospect

While the Yankees’ list of potential signings remains speculative, one name is notably absent from their plans: Alex Verdugo. The outfielder, who is projected to command a four-year, $60 million deal this offseason according to Spotrac, is widely expected to depart in free agency.

FanSided’s Zachary Rotman echoed this sentiment, predicting that the Yankees would prioritize promoting top prospect Jasson Dominguez rather than re-signing Verdugo. Rotman noted, “At some point, the Yankees are going to have to see what Dominguez can do at the MLB level playing regularly. Assuming Soto or another outfielder joins the mix, there won’t be room for Verdugo, especially since New York elected to keep Trent Grisham around.”

The rationale for Verdugo’s departure is compelling. With Aaron Judge entrenched as the face of the franchise and guaranteed a long-term spot in the lineup, any additional outfield acquisitions—be it Soto or alternatives like Teoscar Hernández or Anthony Santander—further reduce Verdugo’s chances of staying.

More importantly, the Yankees need to prioritize the development of Jasson Dominguez, one of their most highly touted prospects in years. Allowing Dominguez to play regularly at the major league level is essential for his growth. Keeping Verdugo could hinder that progress, creating a logjam in the outfield that the Yankees cannot afford.

Even beyond Dominguez, other young players in the Yankees’ system could provide similar or better production than Verdugo for a fraction of his projected salary. Everson Pereira, for example, has shown promise and may deliver results comparable to Verdugo’s for a significantly lower cost.

Verdugo’s time in pinstripes, while serviceable, has been marked by inconsistency. Though he brought energy and solid defense to the team, his offensive contributions often fell short of expectations. With the Yankees eyeing a brighter future built around homegrown talent and marquee signings, there’s little justification for bringing Verdugo back at his expected price tag.

Ultimately, the Yankees’ offseason decisions will hinge on their pursuit of Juan Soto. If they succeed in landing the superstar outfielder, Verdugo’s departure becomes even more of a foregone conclusion. However, even if Soto signs elsewhere, the Yankees appear committed to restructuring their roster around emerging stars and complementary veterans.

As the team looks to rebound from recent struggles, it’s clear that difficult choices lie ahead. Letting Alex Verdugo walk in free agency may be one of them, but it’s a move that aligns with the Yankees’ long-term vision for sustained success.