The New York Yankees need to decide if Miguel Andujar will be a part of their future. If not, he could be a hot commodity on the trade block.
At this time last year, the New York Yankees had to have thought that they had their long term answer at third bae. Miguel Andujar had finished as the runner up in the AL Rookie of the Year vote, producing a solid .297/.328/.527 batting line with 27 homers and 47 doubles. Even if his defense at third was atrocious, costing the Yankees 25 runs, he still had enough of a bat to more than make up for his shortcomings with the glove.
As it turns out, the Yankees may have their third baseman. Only, it is not Andujar – it is former scrap heap Gio Urshela. After struggling in his first three stints in the majors, he blossomed in pinstripes. Brought up to New York due to a succession of injuries, Urshela produced a .314/.355/.534 batting line with 21 homers and 34 doubles, his 133 OPS+ trailing only Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu amongst Yankee regulars.
So where does this leave Andujar? He struggled through his own injury plagues 2019 campaign, appearing in just 12 games as he two separate stints on the Injured List before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. Even if he is healthy, his already questionable ability to play third may be further damaged.
At this point, a trade may be the most likely option for a player who once looked like a future cornerstone for the New York Yankees. Let’s look at a few possible destinations.