Royals Miss Out on Miguel Andujar as Offseason Opportunities Continue to Slip Away
The Kansas City Royals have made some solid moves this offseason-no doubt about it. They’ve shored up the bullpen with the return of All-Star setup man Matt Strahm and added some intrigue to the middle innings with arms like Nick Mears.
In the outfield, they’ve brought in switch-hitter Isaac Collins and veteran Lane Thomas, hoping for a bounce-back year. These are smart, targeted additions for a roster that needed help.
But even with those upgrades, the Royals' offseason still feels unfinished. There’s room-maybe even a need-for more platoon depth in the outfield, more reinforcement at second base, and better utility options off the bench.
The pieces they’ve added are helpful, but they haven’t moved the needle in a big way. And as spring training inches closer, the list of available difference-makers is shrinking fast.
The latest name to come off the board? Miguel Andujar. The versatile corner infielder and right-handed bat has reportedly signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the San Diego Padres-a move that stings a little more for a Royals team that could’ve used exactly what Andujar brings to the table.
Let’s break it down.
The Royals struggled mightily against left-handed pitching last season, slashing just .236/.303/.356 against southpaws. That’s not going to cut it in a division where matchups matter and every marginal edge can swing a series. Andujar, with his ability to hit lefties and contribute across multiple positions, checked a lot of boxes.
In 2025, splitting time between the A’s and Reds, Andujar posted a .318/.352/.470 slash line with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs, and a 125 wRC+ over 94 games. That’s not just competent production-that’s a right-handed bat who can do real damage.
While he wasn’t used strictly in a platoon role, his splits against lefties were strong, and he held his own against right-handers too. That kind of flexibility is exactly what Kansas City could’ve used.
Defensively, Andujar brings even more value. He can handle both first and third base, which would’ve given the Royals a safety net and some lineup versatility. And while he’s not known for drawing a ton of walks, he struck out just 14.4% of the time last season-showing a level of plate discipline that’s increasingly rare for someone with his power profile.
And the kicker? He signed for just $4 million.
That’s a number even the budget-conscious Royals could’ve matched. It’s not a splashy deal, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar signing that can quietly pay off in a big way over a full season.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that one of Kansas City’s key AL Central rivals, the Detroit Tigers, just made a major move of their own-inking top left-handed starter Framber Valdez. That’s the kind of addition that shifts a division race. Andujar might not have been a headline-grabber, but he was a piece that could’ve helped the Royals keep pace.
Instead, he’s headed west, and the Royals are left watching another potential upgrade slip through their fingers.
With spring training right around the corner and the free-agent market thinning out, the window for Kansas City to make meaningful additions is closing fast. There’s still time, but the margin for error is shrinking. If the Royals want to turn a productive offseason into a truly impactful one, they’ll need to act quickly-and decisively-before the final pieces are gone.