It’s fair to say that baseball can be really brutal at times. One day, you’re starting in the World Series, and little did you know that the next… dead silence, no contracts or deals. That’s exactly what’s happening presently for a Yankees’ former left fielder, once worth $8.7 mil. But how exactly did things get to this uncertain point?

The Yankees’ former left fielder, Alex Verdugo, is the one who locked down left field for the Yankees all season. He always showed up when it mattered the most in the postseason. He was never a liability; he was a regular starter and had his share of moments in the limelight. But sadly, according to sources, no MLB team has signed him for this season after he hit free agency earlier.

The MLB trade market isn’t always that simple. In a league where front offices are all about stats, his previous season’s numbers weren’t remarkable; he posted .233 AVG, 13 HRs, 150+ RBI, and .647 OPS in 2024 – not bad, but also nothing to write home about. That, in fact, might be the reason he’s hanging in balance. However, fellow player Aaron Judge chimed in with his support.

Judge recently reflected upon Verdugo’s situation. He expressed, “I am surprised. He’s such a great player. He brings so much value and versatility to a team.” While well-intentioned, these remarks turned into a fiery debate among the fans.

Keep in mind that Juan Soto’s arrival in the previous season transformed the Yankees’ outfield dynamic. Now that Soto has latched with the Mets, fans have mixed feelings about letting Verdugo go. The reactions don’t look pretty; some are taking straight shots at Judge while the others are furious at the Yankees.

Fans question Judge’s take on former Yankees’ teammate

Aaron Judge’s take on Alex Verdugo’s situation might seem genuine, but not everybody feels so. Instead of showing sympathy for the former Yankees outfielder, fans turned the tables to question Judge’s eye for talent. From brutal criticism to hilarious jabs, the reactions were flooded all over X.

Fans didn’t hold back at all; one bluntly stated, “Judge is not the best judge of talent, it’s safe to say.” Without any shadow of a doubt, Judge is one of the best hitters in the game, but is he also supposed to be a great evaluator of talent? The Yankees lineup moves haven’t always worked out. Hence, Verdugo’s lack of suitors might just prove their point.

Another fan arguably blamed that at times, analytics outweigh the opinions of even the most experienced players. “Great example of how having played at the highest levels doesn’t mean you understand player value well. Sometimes the nerds are right.” Judge does see value in Verdugo’s versatility, but in today’s game, stats speak louder.

One fan targeted the entire Yankee organization, stating, “Only people surprised are in the Yankees organization.” It may be possible that Verdugo’s inconsistencies were more evident from the outside looking in, and probably the Yankees overestimated his impact.

The criticism continued, as a user commented, “As good of a baseball player as Aaron Judge is, his ability to know the ball is equally as bad.” This has to be such a bold claim. Fans portrayed that being an elite player doesn’t mean you’re an elite evaluator.

And then, of course, there were sarcastic remarks, “I bet you are, Aaron.” The fan is evidently not buying Judge’s surprise at Verdugo’s situation. He is suggesting that deep down, he should have expected this. It’s so clear that many of the fans aren’t taking Judge’s words at face value.

Judge was nicely trying to stand up for a former teammate, but fans weren’t exactly in the mood for sympathy. Instead, his remarks scratched old debates about analytics and the Yankees’ decision-making. And this debate isn’t dying anytime soon.