Miguel Andujar’s free agency is starting to pick up steam - and for good reason.
The former Yankees top prospect, who wrapped up his 2025 campaign with the Cincinnati Reds, is drawing interest from a growing list of clubs. According to reports, six teams are currently in the mix: the Reds, Cubs, Cardinals, Padres, Rangers, and Athletics. That’s a diverse group of suitors, but the NL Central teams - especially the Reds, Cubs, and Cardinals - could be playing a little chess here, knowing that Andujar’s bat could shift the balance within the division.
Andujar’s resurgence in 2025 didn’t go unnoticed. He slashed .318 with an .822 OPS, and what really stood out was how he torched left-handed pitching.
Against southpaws, he posted a scorching .389/.409/.578 line - the kind of production that makes front offices take notice, especially in a league where platoon advantages are more important than ever. Even against right-handers, he held his own, hitting .290 with a .331 OBP and .429 slugging.
That kind of balanced production gives Andujar value beyond just a niche bat off the bench. He’s not just a lefty-masher - he’s a legitimate offensive contributor who can help lengthen a lineup.
And while his defensive fit remains a bit of a question mark - he’s played both third base and corner outfield in his career, but hasn’t locked down a long-term role at either spot - teams are clearly willing to overlook that for what he brings with the bat and in the clubhouse. Word is, both the A’s and Reds spoke glowingly about his presence in the locker room. That matters, especially for teams looking to add veteran leadership to a young core or stabilize the middle tier of their roster.
Andujar’s market may have also been helped by Rob Refsnyder’s recent deal - a one-year, $6.3 million pact with the Mariners. Refsnyder, another right-handed bat known for crushing lefties, helped set a baseline for what teams are willing to pay for that skillset. And Andujar, with better overall numbers and a longer track record of offensive upside, could be in line for a similar or even better deal.
At this point, it’s not a matter of if Andujar will sign, but where. With Spring Training fast approaching, expect the conversations to ramp up quickly.
Whether it’s a return to Cincinnati or a fresh start in Chicago, St. Louis, San Diego, Texas, or Oakland, Andujar looks like one of the more intriguing bats still on the board - and a potentially savvy pickup for a team looking to add proven production without breaking the bank.