The San Diego Padres added former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo to their organization with a minor league contract announced on Sunday. The 29-year-old, who spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves, is scheduled to report to minor league camp this week as he seeks to earn a spot within the Padres’ outfield options for the 2026 season.
Verdugo’s Recent Performance and Team Changes
Verdugo began last season strongly, batting .322 over his first 14 games for Atlanta. However, his production declined, finishing the year with a .239 average, 12 RBIs, and no home runs across 56 games before the Braves released him. Despite his World Series experience as a starter with the Dodgers two years ago, his recent struggles have raised doubts about his future role in the majors.
Public Reactions Reflect Frustration with the Padres’ Decision
MLB fans expressed disappointment and concern on social media regarding the Padres’ signing. Some criticized the team for appearing to replicate the Dodgers by reacquiring their former players, while others questioned the organization’s depth and homegrown talent development in the minors.
“Padres trying to replicate the Dodgers by signing their former players 🤣”
“From World Series to minor leagues. Baseball can be brutal.”
“My Padres, picking up cigarette butts on the street, to see which one has any tobacco left..🥲”
“This guy was a starter in left field in the world series two years ago. Shows you something about the yankees.”
“He’s never been great and may not make it out of spring training – probably in AAA filler or playing in the Mexican league come April.”
“Filling out their AAA team with minor league trash so nobody realizes they don’t have any homegrown talent in the upper minors.”
Implications for Padres’ Future Roster and Player Development
This signing underscores the Padres’ willingness to take low-risk chances on veteran players like Verdugo, hoping he can regain form and contribute at the major league level. However, the level of fan disappointment highlights concerns about the team’s current depth, particularly in nurturing promising prospects within their system. How Verdugo performs in spring training and the minors will likely influence the Padres’ outfield composition moving forward.
Padres sign Alex Verdugo to a minor-league deal pic.twitter.com/lYk8tDywZv
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 1, 2026
