The New York Yankees could use Miguel Andujar as trade bait in 2020 if they need to.
When the Yankees plugged in Gio Urshula at third base in 2019, nobody expected him to finish the year with a .314 batting average, 21 homers, and 74 RBIs.
Urshela’s offensive production topped Miguel Andujar’s in 2018 when he posted a .297 batting average with 27 homers and 92 RBIs. The former Toronto Blue Jay saw his career take a massive turn last season, cementing himself as the Yankees’ starting third baseman for the future.
Trying to find a new position for Andujar to thrive in will be difficult, but manager Aaron Boone has attempted to stick him in left field, a defensive position that the young Dominican has never played in before.
“It was another good day for him out there. I don’t want to overstate it because they were two fairly easy plays, but talking about a sun field where there was a lot of wind,’’ Boone said several weeks ago in Miguel’s second outing in left field. “I am watching the pitcher and the batter and my eyes shift and [Andujar] is already on the move like he should be. I think he is reading the ball well out there and he is moving. So far it looks natural to him.’’
Andujar hasn’t been tested or challenged too much at the position, which may present a false hope before the regular season has even begun. Considering the New York Yankees do have Giancarlo Stanton, Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner, and Mike Tauchman as reserve options, and Miguel is far down the list. However, his offensive efficiency will be utilized moving forward, but it is possible he could represent trade bait if the Yankees need to fix a specific position. At the trade deadline, the Yankees could need support in the bullpen, etc., one that Andujar simply can’t fill. This would allow them to use his value differently, and while he does represent hope for the future, the Yankees haven’t won a World Series in over a decade, presenting the idea of a win-now mentality. Leveraging talent already on the team to bolster other groups with deficiencies might be a reality for them later on in the season.