Why the Blue Jays should sign this former Yankee right now

​The Toronto Blue Jays have made some notable additions this offseason, with the biggest being the signing of outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract.

However, the team's outfield depth remains a concern even with that signing. To address this gap, the Blue Jays should strongly consider signing free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo. On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that Verdugo has yet to receive an MLB offer since last season ended.

The Blue Jays should consider taking a run at Alex Verdugo

The projected starting outfield for the Blue Jays as of now includes George Springer, Anthony Santander, and Daulton Varsho.

While these players all bring valuable skills to the lineup, there isn't much depth behind them. Yes, Joey Loperfido has a high ceiling and is thought of highly of internally and by the fan base, but the bench lacks seasoned outfielders with substantial MLB experience, which could pose a challenge over a grueling 162-game season.

Varsho is already coming back from injury, and Springer isn't getting younger, which makes Verdugo a great lefty bat to add as a fourth outfielder.

Verdugo, a 28 has demonstrated consistent performance throughout his MLB career. He has a .272 batting average with 70 home runs and 316 RBIs over right MLB seasons While his 2024 season with the New York Yankees saw a dip in performance (posting a .233 average with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs) it's essential to consider this within the broader context of his career. ​

He was hitting .282 for his career heading into last year's down season.

Verdugo's defensive capabilities are also noteworthy. He offers versatility across all outfield positions, providing managerial flexibility. His defensive metrics have been solid, and his ability to adapt to various outfield roles would be invaluable for the Blue Jays, especially since his presence would allow for Springer and Santander to have more days at designated hitter.

Integrating Verdugo into the Blue Jays' roster would address the team's existing depth issue and introduce healthy competition among outfielders, while also adding a fierce competitor. That competition could elevate the team's overall performance while also helping ensure that complacency doesn't set in.

While Verdugo's recent offensive numbers may not mirror his peak performance, his career statistics and defensive versatility present a compelling case for the Blue Jays to pursue him.

His addition would bolster the outfield depth, provide managerial flexibility and serve as a strategic move to navigate the challenges of a demanding MLB season.

In a competitive division, ensuring a robust and experienced roster is paramount, and Verdugo's signing would be a step in that direction.