Miguel Andujar is back on the radar - and this time, it’s not just a flicker. The 31-year-old free agent is drawing legitimate interest from multiple clubs, with the Rangers, Padres, Cardinals, Reds, Cubs, and Athletics all reportedly circling. After a few up-and-down years, Andujar quietly put together his most productive season in a long while, and teams are taking notice.
Let’s start with what he did on the field. In 2025, Andujar appeared in 94 games between the A’s and Reds, missing a chunk of time with an oblique strain but still managing to make a strong impression.
He’s never been a high-walk guy - his 5% walk rate last season confirms that - but he also doesn’t chase strikeouts. A 14.4% strikeout rate in today’s game is borderline elite for a power-adjacent bat, and that contact-first approach helped him slash .318/.352/.470 across 341 plate appearances.
That’s good for a 125 wRC+, meaning he was 25% better than league average offensively.
Sure, his .348 BABIP suggests he caught a few breaks along the way, but even with some regression, the production holds up. For context, over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he hit a combined .277/.315/.399 with a 103 wRC+ - still above average, even with a more modest .306 BABIP.
So this isn’t just a one-year blip. It’s a continuation of a hitter who’s found ways to stay competitive at the plate.
Andujar bats right-handed and has always handled lefties well, but 2025 was something else entirely. He torched southpaws to the tune of a .389/.409/.578 line and a jaw-dropping 171 wRC+.
That’s MVP-level production - albeit in a platoon role. Against righties, he was still solid, hitting .290/.331/.429 with a 108 wRC+.
That kind of split makes him a dream fit as a short-side platoon option, especially for teams looking to balance out a lefty-heavy lineup.
Defensively, Andujar doesn’t bring Gold Glove credentials, but he does offer versatility. Last season, he played all four corner spots - first base, third base, and both corner outfield positions. None of those positions are premium defensively, but the ability to shift around the diamond adds value, especially for teams that like to mix and match based on matchups.
So who’s in the mix?
The A’s know exactly what they’re getting. They had Andujar in 2024 and part of 2025 before flipping him to the Reds at the deadline for pitching prospect Kenya Huggins.
With Nick Kurtz at first and Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler in the outfield corners, there’s a path for Andujar to slot in as a matchup bat. If Oakland isn’t contending by midseason, there’s always the option to deal him again - something they’ve already proven willing to do.
The Rangers project to have Brandon Nimmo in left and Evan Carter in center. Carter’s a lefty who has struggled against southpaws, and while there’s chatter about Wyatt Langford getting some center field reps, that could open up a corner for a right-handed bat like Andujar. With Joc Pederson likely handling DH duties - and historically struggling against lefties - there’s a natural platoon fit here.
The Cardinals have openly said they’re looking for a right-handed outfielder. With lefty Lars Nootbaar in one corner, Alec Burleson at first, and Nolan Gorman likely logging time at third, Andujar could be a useful piece.
St. Louis is in a bit of a transition phase, but Andujar could offer lineup protection now and become a trade chip later.
The Reds already saw the value he brought down the stretch last season. They’ve since traded Gavin Lux and project to have lefty JJ Bleday in a corner outfield spot. Andujar could easily slide back into a familiar role, giving them a veteran presence and lineup flexibility.
The Cubs are sorting through options at first base and DH. Michael Busch is penciled in at first, and Moisés Ballesteros looks like the frontrunner for the DH spot. That leaves room for a right-handed bat who can move around and provide matchup value - exactly the kind of role Andujar has carved out for himself.
The Padres are juggling a mix of Jake Cronenworth, Sung Mun Song, and Gavin Sheets across first, second, and DH. That’s a group with plenty of left-handed swing, and Andujar could provide a useful counterbalance.
Now, let’s talk market value. Andujar isn’t going to break the bank.
He’s likely looking at a short-term deal in the same ballpark as other right-handed platoon bats. Think Austin Hays or Randal Grichuk, both of whom signed one-year, $5 million deals last offseason.
Rob Refsnyder just landed $6.3 million from the Mariners on a one-year pact. That’s the tier Andujar’s in - and for teams seeking value from a bat that can hit lefties and play multiple positions, he’s a pretty compelling option.
There are others on the market - Austin Slater, Tommy Pham, Starling Marte, Chas McCormick - and Harrison Bader, who brings more defensive upside and might command a multi-year deal. But for clubs looking to plug a specific hole, especially on the short side of a platoon, Andujar checks a lot of boxes.
Bottom line: Miguel Andujar may not be a headline-grabbing name anymore, but he’s the kind of quietly effective player who can make a real difference over 162 games - and potentially bring back value at the deadline. With multiple teams in the mix and a strong 2025 campaign in his back pocket, don’t be surprised if he lands somewhere soon.