Padres nab Alex Verdugo, a key piece in the Mookie Betts blockbuster trade. He joins San Diego on a minor league deal.
The San Diego Padres have brought in a few players this offseason on one-year deals as they try to find a hidden gem.
Some names include Miguel Andujar, Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning and German Marquez, and there are plenty of things to sort out with the roster.
The starting infield and outfield are most likely set, with first base and designated hitter up for grabs.
The starting rotation has a solid four names, with several others fighting for the final spot or two if Craig Stammen goes with a six-man rotation.
The outfield has Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Ramon Laureano as the unquestioned starters, and Bryce Johnson could be the fourth OF.
But, a new name entered the fray on Sunday: Former Los Angeles Dodger and Boston Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo.
Yes, that Alex Verdugo who was sent from LA to Boston as part of the Mookie Betts blockbuster trade.
It was first reported by Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, and Verdugo is joining on a minor league deal.
Verdugo spent the first three seasons with the Dodgers, but here was the infamous Dodgers-Red Sox deal in 2020:
Red Sox get: OF Alex Verdugo, SS Jeter Downs, C Connor Wong
Dodgers get: OF Mookie Betts, LHP David Price, cash
Verdugo was then with Boston until he joined the New York Yankees in 2024, and he spent last season with the Atlanta Braves.
He played in 140 or more games from 2021 through 2024, but he appeared in just 56 games for the Braves in 2025, hitting .239 with zero home runs and 12 RBIs.
As always, A.J. Preller pulls off an unexpected move, and he also signed Walker Buehler to a deal in hopes of turning him around after some rough seasons as of late.
As it stands, Johnson should be the fourth OF, but he isn't the best option offensively. Verdugo didn't hit well at all in 2025, but he hit 13 home runs with 61 RBIs in 2024 with the Yankees.
With the World Baseball Classic starting soon, Tatis is not in camp, and Stammen will be using a variety of guys to try and get some clarity on the roster.
Worst case is that Verdugo begins the year in the minors before getting a call-up if an injury takes place for San Diego.
But, yes, believe it or not, Alex Verdugo will be trying to earn a roster spot for the Padres. Who saw that coming?