Where does Miggy fit with Yanks?
Andujar’s future unclear after emergence of Urshela
Everyone is wondering where Miguel Andujar will play next season. After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in March, the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year runner up was all but forgotten this season when Gio Urshela proved to be a tremendous third baseman.
With Yankees GM Brian Cashman saying last week that third base is now Urshela’s position to lose heading into spring training, that leaves a very talented player seemingly without a spot in the Yankees lineup.
The rest of baseball obviously took notice.
“I’m definitely getting a lot of interest in Miguel Andujar. I’ve got clubs asking me, ‘What are you going to do with him? We’d have an interest in him. Mark us down,’” Cashman told reporters.
Before you get too far down the road imagining the Yankees
dealing Andujar for Kyle Schwarber or any tantalizing young prospect, let’s come back to earth.
“Of course he’s getting calls on Andujar. There’s a tremendous offensive upside there and after last season, they smell an opportunity to try and buy low,” one former American League executive said this week. “Brian Cashman rarely sells low.”
Andujar, who isn’t even arbitration eligible until 2021, was mentioned in trade talk last winter after a tremendous rookie season. He slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 47 doubles in 606 at-bats in his rookie season.
“You would have to think that if he was healthy this season his numbers would have been even more impressive. With the (juiced) ball, he would have easily hit over 35 home runs,” the executive said. “That has to be the Yankees’ thought going into this too.”
Andujar had a huge first year. He finished second in the voting for AL Rookie honors to Shohei Ohtani, but was shaky on defense that there was already speculation about him changing positions.
The 24-year-old committed 15 errors at the hot corner in 2018 — fourth most by a third baseman in the majors — and finished with a cringe-worthy -25 defensive runs saved.
Urshela certainly seemed to offer a much stronger glove. The 28-year-old had a long highlight reel full of tremendous plays this season, but he also committed 13 errors and had just a 0.0 defensive WAR. He had a -4 runs saved.
After being an unproductive hitter for most of his three previous trips to the big leagues, Urshela surprised baseball when he hit so consistently in 2019. He slashed .314/ .355/.534 with 21 home runs. Like most of the Yankees hitters, Urshela cooled off late in the season and in the playoffs. He hit .207 in 18 games in September and hit .242 in the postseason.
Cashman indicated that the more likely plan is seeing if they can keep both in the lineup. Last week he said he had already raised the topic of Andujar changing positions with his agent.
It will be tricky, but there are options.
After an injury-riddled and disappointing 2019, Luke Voit’s hold on first base doesn’t seem as strong as it did heading into spring training last season. Voit, who needed offseason sports hernia surgery, will have a crowded field to fight off at first with Mike Ford and even Greg Bird. Andujar could be tried out over there.
Also, with Aaron Hicks expected to miss the first few months of the season after having had Tommy John surgery in October, the Yankees could possibly try Andujar in the corner outfield. Obviously, the Yankees have Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge locked in there, but both have struggled with injuries and a regular rotation as the designated hitter could possibly help their “load management.”
So, Mike Tauchman, who earned a chance to start the season in the big leagues, (if the Yankees do not re-sign Brett Gardner,) would have to spend most of his time in center as Hicks heals. Clint Frazier would probably get some looks in left as well if he isn’t dealt this winter, but Andujar could also get a chance out there.