Ex-Yankees Slugger Available; Cardinals Could Take Chance On Him To Add More Depth

Would it make sense for the Cardinals to sign the former Yankee?

If the St. Louis Cardinals were interested in adding more depth, one player who just became available may make sense.  

Former New York Yankees utility man Miguel Andujar officially was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday afternoon, according to the club.

Andujar was signed as an international free agent by the Yankees in 2011 and at one point was one of the clubs highest-rated prospects. He began his professional career with the Gulf Cost Yankees as a 17-year-old and worked his way up the club's organization and made his big league debut with New York in 2017. 

The utility man had an extremely strong rookie year and finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting while slashing .297/.328/.527 to go along with 27 home runs and 92 RBI in 149 game. He also hit 47 doubles on the season.

Since 2018, Andujar has struggled with injuries and hasn't seen much time at the big league level. He was designated for assignment by New York at the end of the 2022 season and was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been with the club since. The 28-year-old has struggled so far this season in 16 games for Pittsburgh slashing .161/.212/.387 to go along with two home runs and six RBIs. 

Although he has had some struggles, he impressed at the Triple-A level while slashing .284/.364/.500 to go along with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games. At this point, any team with have the opportunity to claim him or the Pirates could trade him over the next week after being designated for assignment. If he still hasn't changed teams, he will become a free agent. 

A minor-league contract may make perfect sense for the Cardinals. He may have struggled in the big leagues so far this season, but it was a very small sample size. He has shown when healthy he can be a very productive big leaguer. If the Cardinals were to sign him to a minor league deal, there would be virtually no downside. He could continue to try to work his way back and if he was able to find his mojo again, provide some more veteran depth at the big league level. He is just 28-years-old so he should have plenty of productive years ahead of him. If he were to continue to struggle, it wouldn't cost the Cardinals anything. 

Why not give him another chance?

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