Yankees: Three players who could still be traded before Opening Day

3B Miguel Andujar

Andujar is the player on this list who I think is least likely to be traded and the one who I hope doesn’t get traded the most. However, his name continues to be thrown around on the rumor mill and has been for the past two offseasons.

Miggy is more expendable after the breakout performance by Gio Urshela in his absence last season and because the Yankee infield is filled with depth across the diamond. Even after the departure of Didi Gregorius. What role he’ll play next season remains to be seen but as long as he’s on the roster it figures to be an important one. Like Frazier, Miggy has struggled defensively in his young big league career, but at the plate, he’s been a true force when healthy.

It’s easy to see why there are so many teams interested in acquiring him after the rookie season he had in 2018 when he hit .297 with 27 HR, 92 RBI and set the Yankee rookie record for doubles with 47. I don’t think anyone really believes that performance was a fluke and now that he’s recovered from the labrum tear expectations are high entering 2020.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Why weren’t Yankees in on Kodai Senga now that we know the price?
• There’s one way Yankees can make SF Giants’ offseason even worse
• Yankees should swing trade for old enemy to fill 2023 left field vacancy
• Baseball Reference proves Yankees’ Aaron Judge lives rent free in Boston
• Yankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates

This spring Miggy will likely enter camp behind Gio on the third base depth chart and will have a hard time beating him out for the starting job. Other teams know that which is one of the reasons why the Yanks and GM Brian Cashman have received so many calls asking about his availability this offseason.

Most recently his name has come up in the Josh Hader talks last month and according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Yankees could offer a package including him. We haven’t seen much more information on a potential trade for Hader of late so maybe the talks have cooled down, but it’s something to keep an eye on over the next month.

I still don’t see it happening because the Yankees really don’t need Hader with the bullpen they already have and it would take more than just Miggy to get a deal done. Deivi Garcia, their top prospect would also likely have to be included and maybe Frazier as well.

I’m sure it’s a tempting trade for Cashman and company to consider but the price is going to be too high and the Yanks are going to need Miggy in the lineup next year to reach their full potential. He’s too good of a hitter to sell low on and deal now coming off an injury-plagued year.

Plus, whether it’s at third base, DH or even first base there are going to be ways to get him consistent at-bats next season so as long as he can stay healthy he should have another great year.