The market for Alex Verdugo is heating up, and the New York Yankees are conspicuously absent from the list of teams reported to be pursuing the free agent outfielder.According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, who confirmed an earlier report by FanSided's Robert Murray, the Pittsburgh Pirates are 'hot after' Verdugo.More news: Yankees Shopping $18.
The source of Verdugo's struggles? In August, he told NJ Advance Media that his hands were affected by a perplexing allergic reaction, which he traced to two chemicals found in his Franklin batting gloves. A quick fix was ostensibly just out of reach, however, and now Verdugo's time in pinstripes appears over.More news: Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays Have Interest in Free Agent: ReportsPirates outfielders combined for a miniscule .227/.297/.