Miguel Andujar says the Yankees manager Aaron Boon yesterday that he wants to be traded, reports Z101 Digital’s Hector Gomez (Twitter link). Andujar was picked for Triple-A after last night’s game as the Yankees needed to open up a roster spot for Giancarlo Stantonoff the 10-day injured list today.
According Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, this isn’t the first time Andujar has asked to be dealt with, as the infielder/outfielder has gone from being a future cornerstone to an apparent afterthought on the New York roster. After finishing second in AL Rookie Of The Year voting in 2018, Andujar has only played 90 Major League games since the start of the 2019 season. Injuries have been a factor in that lack of playing time, as Andujar missed most of the 2019 season due to shoulder surgery and also missed a notable part of the 2021 campaign due to wrist issues.
With Andujar missing so much time, the Yankees simply moved on to other players – notably Gio Urshelawho had a great breakout season replacing Andujar at third base in 2019. Andujar wasn’t necessarily seen as a long-term defensive adjustment at third base anyway, but a move to work primarily to the outfield and at first base over the past two years has also not created a clearer path to a regular lineup spot.
When not on the IL, Andujar has shuttled between Triple-A and the majors. He still produces regularly at Triple-A level, which could give other teams an indication that Andujar, 27, can bounce back in a new environment and with more stable playing time at big league level. It’s no surprise that Andujar has become frustrated with his situation, but between his injuries and his slant line of .234/.260/.329 in 319 AP from 2019-22, Andujar’s trade value isn’t much. not exactly high.
Andujar has been mentioned in trade rumors for a few years now, and Newsday’s Erik Boland reported last March that the Yankees were again buying Andujar from other teams. While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman undoubtedly wasn’t open to low-cost buyout offers in 2019 or 2020, however, Andujar’s stock simply hasn’t rebounded to the point where New York could still get a big comeback in a deal.
It’s possible that Cashman is considering moving Andujar for another type of post-hype prospect or recovery project, or perhaps including Andujar as part of a larger business package. Of course, the Yankees don’t have to trade Andujar either, as he’s under the team’s control throughout the 2024 season. Andujar earns $1.3 million in 2022, during his first year of eligibility for arbitration.