Free agent infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar is drawing widespread interest, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post, with the Rangers, Padres, Cardinals, Reds, Cubs and Athletics listed as some of the clubs in the mix.
Andujar, 31 in March, is coming off his best season in years. He missed a little over a month due to an oblique strain but got into 94 games, split between the A’s and Reds after a deadline trade. He generally puts the ball in play a lot, avoiding both strikeouts and walks, and that continued to be the case last year. In his 341 plate appearances, his 5% walk rate was quite low but he was also only struck out at a 14.4% clip.
He produced a .318/.352/.470 batting line, production which translated to a wRC+ of 125, or 25% better than league average. There was likely a bit of good luck in there, as his .348 batting average on balls in play was quite high, but it would have been a good showing even with neutral luck. He slashed .277/.315/.399 over 2023 and 2024 for a wRC+ of 103, with a decreased .306 BABIP in that stretch.
Andujar hits from the right side and has strong platoon splits. For his career, he has a .297/.332/.475 line and 121 wRC+ against lefties, compared to a .275/.307/.427 line and 101 wRC+ without the platoon advantage. It was even more extreme last year, as Andujar had a .389/.409/.578 line and 171 wRC+ against southpaws. Against righties, he held his own with a .290/.331/.429 line and 108 wRC+.
Defensively, he doesn’t play a premium position but does provide some versatility, as he lined up at the four corner spots last year. He doesn’t get great marks anywhere but the ability to move around is helpful when a club is looking to play matchups.
Andujar can therefore be of theoretical use to any club with a lefty in a corner somewhere. The A’s employed Andujar in 2024 and part of 2025 and could do so again. They have Nick Kurtz at first with the outfield corners manned by Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler. They could potentially be more competitive in 2026 but could also trade Andujar at the deadline again. Last year, they were able to get pitching prospect Kenya Huggins from the Reds.
The Rangers project to have Brandon Nimmo in left. Evan Carter is another lefty, with notable struggles against southpaws, and projects to be the club’s center fielder. There has been some suggestion that Wyatt Langford could take some center field playing time, which could make room for a righty bat in a corner. Joc Pederson projects to be the designated hitter. He is coming off a poor season but has crushed righties and flailed against lefties in his career.
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom recently said the Cards have room for a righty-hitting outfielder. The club projects to have lefty Lars Nootbaar in one corner, with Alec Burleson at first base and Nolan Gorman possibly getting lots of playing time at third. The Cards are rebuilding but Andujar could help the club protect their current players and then perhaps be traded at the deadline, just as he was last year.
The Reds just had Andujar for the final two months of the 2025 season and could once again slot him in. They traded Gavin Lux to the Rays but project to have lefty JJ Bleday in one outfield corner. The Cubs have Michael Busch at first base and Moisés Ballesteros is probably the favorite to take over the designated hitter spot. The Padres project to have some combination of Jake Cronenworth, Sung Mun Song and Gavin Sheets covering first base, second base and designated hitter.
Andujar isn’t likely to command too much on the open market as a short-side platoon player. Guys like Austin Hays and Randal Grichuk are somewhat comparable players who each got one-year, $5MM deals last offseason. Rob Refsnyder just got $6.3MM from the Mariners on a one-year deal last month.
Hays and Grichuk are out there again now, alongside Andujar. Other similar players in this market include Austin Slater, Tommy Pham, Starling Marte and Chas McCormick. There’s also Harrison Bader, though he should be a tier above this group. Since he is a strong defender in center, he is a viable everyday player and may be able to secure himself a two-year deal.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Hanisch, Imagn Images
I’m showing interest in moving closer to Fiona Doirif’s condo.
Hopefully it’s not the Yankees. Easy pass; been there, and done that already.
The Yankees treated him like crap after he should’ve won AL ROY. They have too many DH types anyway
@dirt
How? He missed the entire 2nd year due to injury and struggled the next two years. They have him every opportunity to be their 3b man of the future.
Injuries happen. If memory serves correct, the year he went to Pittsburgh, they had signed Josh Donaldson to play 3B. That didn’t leave much of an opportunity for him. They gave up on him. Kind of the way it’s looking for Dominguez right now as well…
@dirt
2018-Great rookie year.
2019- Played 12 games and then missed the rest of the season.
2020- Between the mlb and winter ball he played in 31 games.
2021-He only played 45 gangs in the majors with a sub .600 OPS and only 16 games at AAA.
2022- He struggled in 27 games with an .OPS in the .500. He was demoted to AAA where he hit decently but not by that time they had to move on.
They gave him 3 seasons after his rookie year and 2 full years after his return from injury. How much more time could they give to a bat first 3b who isn’t hitting?
I disagree that they’re giving up on Dominguez. Cashman indicated he felt he had a good rookie year but need to work on his defense. Ppl are acting like he’s blocked. There’s no guarantee that Grisham will perform well in 2026 or that he’ll return after the season. Dominguez is only 22. There’s no need to rush. And if his bat is real but his glove lags, they could still move him to DH as a platoon or full time when Stanton’s contract expires in 2027 or of they release him since he’s “only” owed $10 mil that list year. The there’s no need to move Dominguez anywhere and I feel Cashman isn’t going to rush Jones up in 2026 if he feels he needs more time.
@dirtbag It can.also.be said he did not perform. He was given almost 3 seasons after being injured and he in no way made the most of those opportunities. The Yankees did not treat him bad, he did not perform. Had he stayed healthy and performed he was not.going to b their every day 3B. His glove has been below avg wherever hes played and 3B has by far been his worst.
@99
I have a bro- crush on Andujar. If the Yanks had aDH opening I’d love to hand him. He didn’t have a lefty/righty liability and he absolutely crushed lefties to the tune of a .955 OPS last year. If he could play just a decent LF or 1B he would be perfect.
Another chick I don’t know. This will probably be a mainstay factor in my life as I get older.
I hope the Reds re-sign him. His swing and GABP are the perfect fit. The Reds still need 2 bats to cover 1B, the OF, and DH. He would take care of the DH spot and can fill in in LF and RF on occasion. 1 YR at 7M or 8M plus incentives?
Agreed, but with some of the clubs stated in the mix, the Reds will be outbid.
There is unlikely to be a bidding war for Miggy. If the Reds want him they can surely have him.
Not necessarily at their stated payroll this year, which is just like last year.
The only club that scares me on this list is the Cubs.
@Reds2024 – the Reds could definitely use Andujar or another righty bat, but I doubt they see 2 slots to fill. Between Stewart, Steer and Marte that’s 3 right-handed bats for 4 spots (COF, 1B, DH). As it stands, they might use Tyler Stephenson at DH against lefty SPs.
If the Reds sign Andujar, you can kiss Hines chances to make the team goodbye.
He has no chance anyway. He’s always going to be a AAAA player with massive power.
He reminds me of Brandon Larson of 20 years ago. That’s when many Reds fans coined the phrase AAAA player
I have wondered if Hinds and Benson could form a platoon at whichever corner outfield spot Marte doesn’t fill. They really just need a proven left handed power bat though. Really all they lack. They have good enough right handed hitters with decent power, very good starting rotation and a good bullpen. Personally I could have done with an average bullpen (what they would have had after signing pagan and Ferguson) then focused on the left handed power bat since budget evidently is forcing that choice.
That’s paying him about $3 million more than he will get from anyone lol
The reds have Steer, Stephenson and probably Marte and if Marte reverts to 2024 Marte then probably Stewart that are all everyday at least average hitters from the right side. They have no lefty hitters other than the leadoff Friedl or benson and Bleday who are platoon types.
I like andujar or even Austin Hayes for that matter but our 40 man roster is already full. No need to sign a right handed hitter similar to some we already have just to cut someone else. If we can’t trade for a left handed hitter with 20-30 home run power to bat 4-6 in the lineup everyday then try to sign one and cut somebody.
Singer for Cronenworth.
I just looked up his stats. Yes he is a career 107 ops + which is good but doesn’t have much power with a 17 home run average in 162 games. Our leadoff hitter Friedl also bats left and averages 19 per 162. We need someone who averages around 30 per 162 that can bat 4,5 or 6 in the lineup. Also he is owed $16 million a year for 5 years. We should have traded for Brandon Lowe at 1 year $12 million left on his deal. We need to find another deal similar to what rhe pirates gave up for Lowe.
If they deal Singer, it will be to get rid of salary, not to take more on.
I tell you what, of the options out there, I wouldn’t mind a NYY reunion with Andujar to team with Jasson in left should Belli not come back.
He’s relatively inexpensive and I’m surprised more teams aren’t interested. If Boston for example is not going to sign Suarez to be a righty DH, Andujar would be a fine replacement for Ref.
He’s an aging league average (with neutral luck) hitter with big platoon splits and poor defense everywhere. Not sure he would even make the Red Sox, particularly if Campbell has a strong Spring. Certainly no room in OF.
I agree seam:
1) Red Sox have several internal options who are better than Andujar.
2) Breslow doesnt want Andujars defense, it doesnt fit his model. He’s all about Pitching and Defense.
3) It does not to lower the teams Ks or raise their BBs, which is something they’re trying to improve.
In 2018, Andujar’s first full season, he hit .309/.335/.534 against RHP with 20 HRs in 433 PAs.
He’s had a torn right labrum and a torn meniscus in his right knee, the injuries have probably thwarted his power some, but I’d say he can hit RHP and should be in the lineup everyday.
He is only in his age 31 season. He has had a lot of time to rehab and build strength. He has a renewed focus and next season builds on the last. If he can stay healthy and gets a full slate of ABs, I think he will get some voted for the all-star game in July.
@seam
Bro look up his numbers. What platoon splits are you talking about? .734/.807 vs R/L in his career, which factors in the bad years he had post- injury. Then in 2025 he hit .759/.986 vs R/L. Any team with an open DH spot should be in on him which is why I’m not surprised he’s staying that much interest, especially for budget conscious teams. He’s would probably play his butt off on a 1 year deal to re-establish his value for a shot at a larger deal. I bet he goes to a team that promises him 500 PAs this year.
My post was for his bat. When healthy, he’s the OF equivalent of Romy. He can hit left handed pitching. Ref was average at best in the OF. Who will be the righty to play the OF in addition to Rafaela? Campbell might be the answer but I want zero pressure on the kid this spring. If he wins a job fine but there is too much money invested in a now 22 year old who you can ruin.
@dewey
He hit a .759 OPS vs righties. He doesn’t have any funky splits. His batting average was. 290 but his .335 OBP brought his OPS under .800. If you have an open DH spot he can be your everyday guy.
Knicks, I believe Andujar would get exposed with full time work. Even worse is his injury history. Platooning with Yoshida/Casas would be fine with me should Suarez not be added.
@Dewey
Exposed as a hitter? Are you serious?
Knicks. Yes. Many players the more they play, their weaknesses appear and in today’s world if they haven’t already been exposed, they will be. That said, like Mayer, there is no way around it but the more he plays, their weaknesses appear likelier he’ll get injured.
No way. Especially the way Singer pitched June to September
@No ABS He won’t he going to the All Star Game. In 2018 he benefited from a tather deep lineup. That was a season NYY saw a productive Stanton and a productive Hicks. The lineup was deep and had a ton of protection.
He played in almost 100 games last yr and had 10 HRs with basically no defensive value. He very well may have value for a team as low cost depth but All Star absolutely not.
I know Andujar hit 30+ homers in his first full season with the Yanks, I had thought that his market could get hot and posted earlier in the off season that 5 yr. / 90M on Andujar wouldn’t be out of the question.
I feel like he is every bit the player Santander is, his contact hitting makes him less of a risk in some regard and he has potential to hit 30 HRs in a full season.
I dont understand this market all that well, paying Bo Bichette as much as Aaron Judge. Paying Tucker as much as Ohtani. It has been a spending bonanza and at the same time cautious and wary but I’d say Andujar should get at least 2 yrs. / 40M.
*He hit 27 HRs in 2018, I thought he had hit 30+, I was shooting from the hip on that one.
So you projected him to get about 13 million more per year than he will get? I’d suggest that you not bet any futures on draft kings or anywhere else.
I dont bet futures until after the all star break.
I dont play player props.
I don’t think he’d resign here, he was pretty sour on the Yankees at the end of his tenure and requested a trade. They denied it, shuffled him back and forth between AAA and never gave him consistent ABs. I’d love to see him back, I’m a big fan of his and always have been.
Eh that was a long time ago, everyone is an adult here.
McCormick sucks. He’s fallen off the last few years, though I would want him back on a minor league deal.
That’s not very nice. What if he’s reading this?
LOL That’s so funny!!!!!
His mom prints all these threads and puts them on the fridge. Cookie/SunnyD time in the kitchen is gonna be a real bummer today 😢
He is a fan favorite but I am telling the truth. I think a number of Astros fans have already told him he’s bad.
No one who makes the major leagues is “bad”. They are the best in the world, by far. It’s more difficult to reach the show in baseball than any of the major sports, by far. Show some respect.
Andujar could make sense for the Cardinals assuming Donovan is dealt. Nolan Gorman doesnt belong at 3b he will probably play some there but he really shouldnt.
I’d rather have Nolan at 3rd with Winn next to him, than at 2nd with Burleson next to him…
The question is, is he a significant upgrade over Fermin or Saggese? If Donovan is moved, I could understand the need, but without that not so sure. Of course a big improvement from Walker would go a long way to settle one of the outfield spots.
Yankees should sign him and Clint Frazier, then trade both to the Dodgers for Ohtani.
I cant believe I am seeing this headline. The whole meme was that nobody wanted Andujar. Now teams are lining up for him 10 years later. Totally vindicated Yankee fans.
Greg Bird has entered the chat.
Dear A’s Please do not bring back Andujar
Why? I thought he was pretty much ok…
Looks like he doesn’t play centerfield. I’d rather the Cardinals pass.
He’s pretty bad defensively and should be limited.
Cardinals have enough of those guys already.
I feel like if the Cards sign him, the plan is for him to be a trade chip come July
I’m down for the Royals adding Andujar since Duran deal seems to be dead. He’d be a great fit at a reasonable rate.
Andujar’s Statcast page is pretty miserable. Sure makes last year’s stats look fluky. Hope the Mets know better than to get involved.
Fans have done nothing but put him down since his Yankee days
Career year in one of the easiest parks to hit. If he goes to SD (or any other hitter’s park) he would totally regress. No thanks.
Pitcher’s park*
Injuries are a big reason why his stats are inconsistent. I’m not saying he’s great but as a reserve or platoon bat, you can do far worse.
@Lloko
Small sample size but in 14 PA be hit a ridici .462/.500/.538 at PETCO. His best year with the Yanks, and really his only full healthy season, he had a .799 road OPS away from the Yanks. His career road OPS is .734. Obviously last year was a small sample size but of the 20 ballparks he played in he OPS’d about. 788 in 12 of them. I think he’s worth a 1 year shot as a full-time DH bro.
In 14 plate appearances. Lol. Could have stopped writing there. Who cares
@lloko
ok so totally ignore the fact that he hasn’t hit in Yanks stadium in 3 to 4 years and yet you want to make it sound like he’s a product of the short left field wall, despite the fact that he a righty? even in his full season, as a rookie, he had a road OPS of .734? ignore all that info huh? gotcha. 👍
He would be a 1B DH for the padres. A .734 ops means nothing at that position. Again, he is not good enough for my team…
I personably thought that the Mariners would be in on Willi Castro and or Miguel Andujar who both can play multiple positions and put the ball in play. They must either be really confident that they can work out a deal for B. Donovan, they have a move to come that no one has yet considered, or they are going to stand pat. They need to add one more bat! They could use another arm in the bullpen as well and Danny Coloumbe is still out there. He has been pretty darn good the last three years, go grab him and strengthen that pen.
personally**
Rockies should swoop in and get him.
Perry! Sign this guy. He can’t be any worse than Paris, Peraza, or Grissom will be at 3rd.
San Diego needs a bat that can hit Lefties.
Only have Laureano for next season and need a RH 1B/DH type bat.
Being able to play 3B and both corner OF spots also helps.
At least can see why they’re kicking the tires here.
The Rangers make sense with Nimmo, Carter, and Pederson all hitting from the left side.
Matt Shaw could be the RH OF/DH option for the Cubs.
The Reds seem to need a utility Infielder more than another Outfielder.
A’s and Padres need bench help
The reds need someone that can hit more than a utility infielder. Steer plays multiple positions, McLain as well and Stewart is probably gonna be taking reps at second in spring training. I do think they should’ve been in on Castro though..
If they are cheap, they are in on them. May not sign them but will “try.” They got Hays for $5 million at the last minute last season, if I recall correctly.
This one, it was totally worth it. Barring signing a legit contract like schwarber or bichette I’m fine with cheaper flyers or bullpen upgrades that in worst case scenarios can be traded for stuff at the deadline.
I wouldnt mind him for the cubs..they have been needing a decent contact hitter off the bench for some time now..his defense isnt ideal..but having a late inning bat who makes solid contact cant hurt as long as it dont cost to much which seems likely in his case
The Rangers can not afford him with their very restrictive budget.
Not cheap enough for Cardinals owner, Billionaire Bill DeWallet. Won’t happen.
This sounds like a Jon Heyman sales job.
Reds need to sign him ASAP. Looked like a world beater for parts of last year. Got quite a few clutch hits.
“I’ll trade you Andujar and Frazier for your best player.” The memories.
Someone get Dave Dombrowski’s attention. Andujar would be a perfect platoon partner for Marsh in LF and a great PH off the bench.
I’ll take it! Especially if they are not going to resign Bader, which I think is a mistake with an unknown Crawford in CF. I hope Crawford is great but, the Phillies prospects have disappointed throughout my lifetime.
Interesting to suggest JJ Bleday who was Andujar’s teammate with the A’s.
Nobody suggested Bleday. It was merely noted that he’s already signed with the Rsds who might want to add a platoon partner for him
So what team not on Heyman’s list will he actually sign with? Lets do a poll.
Guardians!
Never understood Pirares’ thinking with Andujar. When he was first claimed he looked terrible, off balance and stumbling on every swing. He came back the next year looking much better. Even though they desperately needed a decent rh bat they stashed him in AAA and left him there, where he mashed. They finally brought him up but he rarely played and hit well when he did play. Then they canned him. Yeah I’m sure stats were inflated last year by his parks, but he would still have been a huge improvement in Pittsburgh. I’d be happy if they bring him back.
The Pirates thinking means Cherington’s and that says it all.
Even Shelton was in Andujar’s corner.
His replacements were Olivares and DeLa Cruz who are both playing in Japan or South Korea.
Andujar is a mediocre at best fielder and does not really have a good field position but the guy can hit albeit without a lot of power.
Cherington would never sign him because it would be admitting that he had made a stupid mistake.
Never got a fair shot with the Pirates. Would be a great pickup for them now, but I don’t why he would want to go back.
I don’t get the casting of Andujar as a short-side platoon player. His overall RC+ of 125 matches him with Bellinger, Bregman and Turner. Vs lefties it’s an amazing +170. Vs righties it’s a passable +108 which was better than RHH Mookie Betts, Nico Hoerner, Carlos Carrera and, in comparison, Refsnyder (67). He doesn’t need to platoon. He could be an excellent everyday DH.
Trade Donovan to the Mariners for prospects and sign Andujar to a deal please. Trade Nootbar, Pallante and Fernandez to the A’s for Tommy White and Zane Taylor. Trade Gorman and Walker to the Angels for 3 of the young pitching prospects. Preferably Dylan Jordan and Samy Natera Jr and Chris Cortez and be done with it. The Angels would probably even throw Hayden Alvarez in there somewhere.. Cortez is the highest rated Angels prospect at #10. Maybe they would go for it. Lets finish ripping off the band aid and just start over completely..
Cardinals have pretty much said Jordan Walker will receive 500 ABs in RF in 2026 so he is not going anywhere. And I’m now not convinced Donovan is moved. They could hold onto him and get potentially a juicier trade package at the trade deadline – assuming Donovan can stay healthy and puts up good numbers.
Wouldn’t mind this for the Mariners if they can’t get Suarez in the cheap. Just they see if Emerson is ready
Reds send Ke’Bryan/Singer to the A’s for Soderstrom – PLEASE !
I’m sure it would take more than that.
Reds just need to get it done with Eugenio Suarez. Either trade Singer to free up money (which I hate to have to do) or defer some of the money. Whatever it takes, they need to do to make the Reds a serious contender.
Getting Suarez on board makes them a serious contender.
Poor man’s Brendan Donovan. Go get him, Mariners