Yankees Rumors: The Texas Rangers are reportedly interested in trading for Miguel Andujar

While the Yankees try and figure out what role Miguel Andujar will fill for the team in 2020 opposing clubs continue to show interest in acquiring him via trade.

Earlier this offseason at GM Meetings Brian Cashman revealed that he’s been getting a lot of calls on Andujar but it’s still unclear whether or not the Yankees would be open to trading him. Miggy has become somewhat expendable after he missed the majority of last season with a labrum tear and Gio Urshela emerged as an All-Star caliber third basemen in his absence.

If the Yankees end up putting Miggy on the trading block the Texas Rangers are among the teams who could pursue him according to their MLB.com beat writer T.R. Sullivan. The Rangers are also expected to be in the mix to sign free agents Anthony Rendon or Josh Donaldson. the top two third basemen on this year’s market. If they miss out on either one could they shift their focus to acquiring Miggy?

Here’s more from Sullivan per MLB.com:

"Is third base still the Rangers’ No. 1 priority?“Yes, and they are definitely intrigued by the possibility of trading for Yankees third baseman Miguel Andújar. He missed most of last season after undergoing right shoulder surgery and has been replaced by Gio Urshela. The Yankees would expect much in the way of a trade, but acquiring Andújar would allow the Rangers to use their financial resources elsewhere. New York needs starting pitching, but it also has an affinity for hard-throwing relievers and Texas has depth in that area.”"

As Sullivan noted in his article the Yankees would expect a lot in return for Andujar if they were, in fact, open to trading him. That still remains to be seen but even if they were I’m not sure the Rangers are the team that could offer them the best package in return.

One player that would probably interest the Yankees the most is All-Star SP Mike Minor, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2020. The left-hander would certainly help improve the Yankees starting staff, but the Rangers are a team that hopes to contend in their new ballpark next season so trading Minor would be very counterproductive.

I’ve seen some Yankee fans on Twitter salivate over hard-throwing RHP Jose Leclerc who’s a promising young reliever under team control through 2025. However, I think the Yanks would be absolutely crazy to trade a hitter of Andujar’s caliber in return for a reliever who finished last season with a 4.33 ERA as the centerpiece.

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It seems like a lot of fans these days want to get rid of Andujar just because they think there’s not a spot for him in next year’s starting lineup which is really hard to understand. I know his defense is a concern but let’s not forget what he accomplished at the plate during his incredible rookie season in 2018. As long as he’s on the roster come Opening Day you can bet Aaron Boone is going to find a way to get him consistent at-bats and why wouldn’t he?

Andujar is still only going to be 25 years old next season and with the labrum issue now behind him, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be the same hitter he was before the injury or better. Whether it’s at third base or he changes his position to first base or left field he still has a lot to offer in 2020 and beyond.

The last thing the Yankees should do is sell low and trade him for anything other than a true ace or a star player like Francisco Lindor. Both of those things are unlikely to happen so they should just stop entertaining calls now and continue to prepare for next season with him in the fold.