Alex Verdugo was blunt about his first and po sibly only season as a Yankee. I know it wasnt my best personal year on offense, the pending free agent said before the Yankees do-or-die World Series Game 5 in The Bronx against the Dodgers. When the Yankees season ends, it could also mark Verdugos final game in pinstripes. He hopes thats not the case, though it would seem likely he could be playing elsewhere if the Yankees are able to bring back Juan Soto. Alex Verdugo hopes to be back with the Yankees next year despite the fact he struggled offensively this season. Getty Images I think there would be [the po sibility] that maybe one day we can come back if its not next year, maybe its another year, the 28-year-old outfielder said. But I would like to come back and just show the type of player that I really am. I think weve seen it defensively, seen it at times offensively, but Im usually a lot more consistent. Verdugo, indeed, posted a regular season slash line of .233/.291/.356 with a .647 OPS in 149 games. The only time in his career he has been worse offensively was his rookie Mario Landino Jersey year with the Dodgers way back in 2017, and that was acro s only 15 games. Explore More After being traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in the offseason, Verdugo started incredibly well. He produced an .867 OPS in April, but his numbers trailed off from there. He lost playing time in September as the Yankees gave top outfield prospect Ja son Dominguez a look in left field. Ultimately, they went with Verdugo in the playoffs because of his defense, and while he entered Wednesday batting only .200, he had driven in seven runs with some key at-bats in big spots four coming in the last two games. Follow The Posts coverage of the Yankees in the postseason: He had a stretch where he struggled a little bit, but he can hit, manager Aaron Boone said. I feel like hes had a lot of big at-bats for us here in the postseason and continued the outstanding defense. No matter what happens, Verdugo will fondly remember this year in The Bronx. He reached the World Series for the first time and felt a closene s to several of his teammates. Personally, it obviously couldve gone better, but overall it was everything he could have wanted. Honestly, its been awesome. Man, its been really cool, Verdugo said. We kind of grinded through some things. But as far as teammates and being with the guys, its been my favorite team Ive ever played for. I really did enjoy it. Tyler Morris Jersey