TAMPA — After one rocky season in the Bronx and a prolonged free agency, Alex Verdugo has finally found a new home. With a week to go until Opening Day, the outfielder agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Braves on Thursday, per the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. It’s a steep paycut c ut for the 28-year-old, who made $8.7 million with the Yankees last season. Verdugo’s deal with Atlanta is a major league one, but he was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett with the season starting next week. The Bombers acquired Verdugo in a rare trade with the Red Sox two winters ago, sending pitching prospects Nicholas Judice, Richard Fitts and Greg Weissert to Boston. Verdugo, who began his career with the Dodgers, became the Yankees’ starting left fielder, providing strong defense throughout the year but little offensively. Verdugo slashed .233/.291/.356 with 13 home runs, 61 RBI and a career-low 83 OPS+ in 149 games with the Yankees. With Verdugo struggling, the Yankees gave Jasson Domínguez an audition in September. However, the natural center fielder struggled in left and failed to supplant Verdugo before the playoffs. Verdugo started all of the Yankees’ postseason games. He hit .208 with one homer and eight RBI. Verdugo expressed a desire to remain in pinstripes, but the Yankees never made an attempt to retain him. Nor did they bring in any other left fielders to compete with Domínguez this spring. The Martian has had a few more mishaps in the corner this exhibition season, but the Yankees are counting on the rookie to hold the position down this season. ...read more read less