Why Minnesota Twins Should Sign Miguel Andujar

[Cory Moen]

The Twins have an interesting offseason ahead of them. So far, they've only made moves around the edges of a roster that appears to be in for significant change. While rumors around Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and Byron Buxton swirl, I wanted to take a look at a move the Twins could make to improve the lineup within the self-imposed budget constraints Twins fans have become all too familiar with.

With the obvious roster holes the Twins have after trading almost half of the roster at this past year’s trade deadline, one move they could make to lengthen the lineup a bit is to sign Miguel Andujar. A trade deadline acquisition himself, Andujar played with the Athletics and the Reds in 2025. While this may not be the splashiest of moves, it’s the type of move the Twins front office could make without breaking the bank.

Andujar played in just 94 games this year. An oblique strain landed him on the injured list early in the season, and then a quad injury in August effectively ended his 2025 campaign. When healthy, Andujar performed well, batting .318/.352/.470, which was good for a 125 OPS+. Even for a player who is strictly a corner infielder/outfielder, this will provide value to any lineup, especially one with as many left-handed hitters as the Twins have.

Andujar has hit lefties quite well throughout his career, so he could spell one of Kody Clemens, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, or one of the many other left-handed-hitting corner defenders on the roster. Andujar played mostly third base and corner outfield, but has played some first base in his career, as well.
 

Stat	Vs LHP	VS RHP
OPS	.986	.759
wOBA	.421	.329
wRC+	171	108
ISO	.189	.139

While Andjuar does not walk much (5% walk rate in 2025), he also strikes out less often than most batters. He did so in just 14.4% of his plate appearances in 2025, and 15.5% in the past three seasons combined. The league average is about 22.2%.

With Andujar’s ability to play either corner infield spot, or in the corner outfield, he would provide Derek Shelton and company the ability to mix and match, and provide insurance if any of the planned corner bats either underperform or sustain an injury.

It might not be a flashy signing, but Andujar could prove to be a nice addition for Derek Falvey and the front office, who are clearly working with a limited budget. He played on a one-year, $3-million deal this past year in his final year of arbitration, so the Twins should be able to add him without breaking the bank. I think a one-year deal in the ballpark of what they signed Carlos Santana to two offseasons ago would get the job done. If it only costs them $5-7 million to secure his services, he would be a bargain, as long as they then utilize him the way they should.

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[DJL44]

He's a great value at the $5-7M range and quite tradeable in July if desired.

[tony&rodney]

Anduhar is a good bat. He is also a DH. The Twins already employ Wallner, Larnach, Julien, and others who should never touch a glove. But sure, I would be fine with him as the DH. What are you doing with the other DH's?

[Fire Dan Gladden]

With the Twins currently considering trading two quality players (Ryan and Jeffers) due to the financial considerations that they make $5-7M this season, discussions about signing players like this (as logical as they sound) are pretty much moot. 

[DJL44]

6 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

With the Twins currently considering trading two quality players (Ryan and Jeffers) due to the financial considerations that they make $5-7M this season, discussions about signing players like this (as logical as they sound) are pretty much moot. 

I don’t think that’s why they want to trade Ryan and Jeffers. 
If the Twins trade Buxton, Lopez, Ryan and Jeffers, they should spend some of that enormous amount of available money on free agents who can be flipped in July for more prospects.

[amjgt]

12 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Anduhar is a good bat. He is also a DH. The Twins already employ Wallner, Larnach, Julien, and others who should never touch a glove. But sure, I would be fine with him as the DH. What are you doing with the other DH's?

Everyone you've listed is a Lefty. Anduhar is a righty.

He would be an "always start" against any lefty (almost 1.000 OPS against them in 2025) and a sometimes start against righties.

I'm surprised the article author focus more on his handedness. That seems like the biggest reason this would be a no-brainer.

[tony&rodney]

Just now, amjgt said:

Everyone you've listed is a Lefty. Anduhar is a righty.

He would be an "always start" against any lefty (almost 1.000 OPS against them in 2025) and a sometimes start against righties.

I'm surprised the article author didn't mention his handedness. That seems like the biggest reason this would be a no-brainer.

Yes, I know this but Anduhar is not really a player to platoon. That still means a number of guys need to be moved unless MLB decides to allow more than one DH. The counter argument is that some of the DH's can play in the field. Well, technically they can and the Twins have use numerous DH types in the field with the predictable results. I guess this practice can continue. No rules against it. I understand that there more than a few people who are ok with the DH folks playing in the field. I don't think any pitchers are for that idea.

[jmlease1]

There's risk with Andujar because of his injury history, but the Twins could slot him in primarily at 1B/DH which also might help keep him on the field. While I wouldn't expect him to light the world on fire defensively at 1B, he's got a little experience there and should be at least passable, especially as he adds experience. As a RH bat, he makes a lot of sense to partner with Clemens at 1B and DH.

He's not going to take a lot of walks and he going to swing the bat a lot, but he also gets hits and doesn't K a ton, which should make some people around here happy. He's also got enough pop in his bat to hit 15 dingers and 25 doubles, so he provides a threat. I wouldn't expect to get Cincy Andujar, but even if you get the A's version that's a step up for us. He seems likely to hit above league average and hits LHP quite well without getting torched by RHP.

If he's in the $5M range, he's the kind of player it's worth taking a swing on to fill a significant hole. I wouldn't look to him to play any 3B and as little OF as possible, but the Twins have options there and this keeps Clemens from playing against LHP.

It's not going to set the world on fire, but it is the kind of floor-raising move that I'm ok with. I'd like to set my sights higher, but I presume that the Cheap Pohlads are setting the payroll at a level where that's unrealistic. Within this context, I like Andujar as a fit for this team that you'd hope wouldn't force the sale of any of the starting pitching.

[chpettit19]

I think there's a pretty reasonable argument to be made that signing him in order to trade him at the deadline is a pretty smart move. Essentially buying a prospect for a few mil. If their plan is to run Clemens out at 1B on a very regular basis (and it's what they've suggested the plan is) then I'd very much like to balance him with a legit bat like Andujar. Assuming Andujar performs to norms he'd be able to fetch a top 20 or 25 system prospect from somebody at the deadline. Adding more to the system to continue to improve their odds of being competitive in 3 years sounds smart to me.

[DJL44]

45 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Anduhar is a good bat. He is also a DH. The Twins already employ Wallner, Larnach, Julien, and others who should never touch a glove. But sure, I would be fine with him as the DH. What are you doing with the other DH's?

Andujar's speed has dropped so he's not really an outfielder anymore, but I think he can play first base. The Twins can apparently coach anyone to become a gold glove first baseman, though that was under the previous coaching staff.

[tony&rodney]

21 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Andujar's speed has dropped so he's not really an outfielder anymore, but I think he can play first base. The Twins can apparently coach anyone to become a gold glove first baseman, though that was under the previous coaching staff.

If the Twins could get Anduhar to be even average at first base, he would add value to the team. The guy has always hit. Injuries are always a problem though with him, which I don't believe should be a big reason to not talk but the glove worries me. The Twins are really poor defensively and that needs to be addressed. But yah, Anduhar in the outfield isn't pretty.

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I don’t think that’s why they want to trade Ryan and Jeffers. 
If the Twins trade Buxton, Lopez, Ryan and Jeffers, they should spend some of that enormous amount of available money on free agents who can be flipped in July for more prospects.

I conjecture that that is a strategy that could well happen. If payroll is scaled back to bare bones they will need to reinvest or have the Players Association be filing grievance. If this strategy worked, replace one salary with another, they could very well be as close to as good as they are anyway if the new signings panned out. And have a nice batch of prospects to build around or trade at a later date.

[DJL44]

26 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I conjecture that that is a strategy that could well happen. If payroll is scaled back to bare bones they will need to reinvest or have the Players Association be filing grievance. If this strategy worked, replace one salary with another, they could very well be as close to as good as they are anyway if the new signings panned out. And have a nice batch of prospects to build around or trade at a later date.

I keep wondering how many prospects they can get to take bad contracts off the luxury tax paying teams. If they’re willing to take on Manea from the Mets, can they get even more talent?

[nicksaviking]

I’d let another team buy into a breakout season for a 30-year-old. Who couldn’t stay on the field BTW.

And I’m done with platoons. It’s first base for Pete’s sake. Get someone who doesn’t have to come off of the field. If you can’t or won’t find a free agent or trade target like that, throw a dart at the under-25 internal options and tell one of them it’s their job. Whether they like it or not.

[sweetmusicviola16]

12 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I keep wondering how many prospects they can get to take bad contracts off the luxury tax paying teams. If they’re willing to take on Manea from the Mets, can they get even more talent?

I hadn't thought of that angle DJ. Mainly because it would be out of the Twins norm. But the Mets want a Lopez or Ryan type. They want Buxton. Not only do they want them but they need them. The window for the Twins competing is not open in 2026. As much as it may grieve to lose our best players it maybe necessary to have a team that is beyond competitive in the future. Now is the time to take on a Manaea type. In a trade you get a haul of Tong, Sproat, Benge. etc. Trading away Lopez, Ryan, etc doesn't mean you have to be terrible. You can then sign guys like Littel, Severino, even take a roll of the dice on a Montgomery. These guys can be flipped in July too. We're a 70 win team. Banking on these guys to be a 85-90 win team and competing for the Central is unrealistic imo. 

[SteveLV]

He cost $?  Ok, not interested.  [Twins FO hangs up phone]

*curtain drops*

[LA Vikes Fan]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Yes, I know this but Anduhar is not really a player to platoon. That still means a number of guys need to be moved unless MLB decides to allow more than one DH. The counter argument is that some of the DH's can play in the field. Well, technically they can and the Twins have use numerous DH types in the field with the predictable results. I guess this practice can continue. No rules against it. I understand that there more than a few people who are ok with the DH folks playing in the field. I don't think any pitchers are for that idea.

I think the question is how proficient he is at 1B. That's where the opening is on the team. I couldn't find any stats on how good he is at 1B so I just don't know. In the OF, Andujar is a poor OF with a strong arm, just like Wallner. The other alternative is to have Andujar, Clemens and Wallner essentially form a three headed entry at RF/1B/DH/bench bat. I don't like that much because I want RF and LF to be young er guys learning their way in 2026, with Martin the LF.

Bottom line for me is that I like Andujar as a hitter and as a signing IF he can play a competent 1B. If not we really have no place for him.     

[TJSweens]

This is another...if I were a president of baseball operations working for a bunch of cheap, tight fisted, miserly SOB's who would I sign...articles. 

I don't think Miguel Andujar fits the bill. Even if we stipulate that the Twins could make him their RHB first baseman, he can't stay on the field and the Twins will not shell out $5 to $7 million for a guy like that.

The Twins do their free agent shopping at Axman Surplus. The Twins will wait until everyone else has picked through the bargain rack and then find somebody willing to sign a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. That's how they got Ty France. If Andujar is still around at that point, then maybe.

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I’d let another team buy into a breakout season for a 30-year-old. Who couldn’t stay on the field BTW.

And I’m done with platoons. It’s first base for Pete’s sake. Get someone who doesn’t have to come off of the field. If you can’t or won’t find a free agent or trade target like that, throw a dart at the under-25 internal options and tell one of them it’s their job. Whether they like it or not.

It's not really a breakout so much as a return to form. He had the breakout with the Yankees at 23 in 2018 and then had a lot of missed time until 2023.

Andujar wouldn't have to be a strict platoon; he could stay on the field as long as he's healthy enough. But management seems hung up on Clemens being in the mix, and if that's the way, then we need at RH bat who can take at least some time at 1B because Clemens simply cannot start against LHP. Period.

I'd love (and so would Shelton) to have a lineup of guys who never need to be protected with a platoon, but it's unrealistic.

[tony&rodney]

Tre' Morgan from TBR should be available. Not a slugger but an automatic gold glove and he can hit and run a little bit. Rays have two young guys ahead of him.

[Cory Moen]

5 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Anduhar is a good bat. He is also a DH. The Twins already employ Wallner, Larnach, Julien, and others who should never touch a glove. But sure, I would be fine with him as the DH. What are you doing with the other DH's?

He played mostly corner outfield, but can also play third and first if needed. I say it could be worth it if he can bounce around a little bit 

[Mike Sixel]

So many injuries..... I would never sign a platoon bat for this team. So you either want him on the field 140 times, or find someone else you want like that. 

[tony&rodney]

Just now, Cory Moen said:

He played mostly corner outfield, but can also play third and first if needed. I say it could be worth it if he can bounce around a little bit 

Anduhar is really not a guy to own a glove. The Athletics have Brent Rooker as their DH. If Anduhar was even just a bad fielder instead of terrible one the A's would have kept him. 

Yes, sign Anduhar as your DH. No, do not allow him to play in the field.

[stringer bell]

From BBRef, Andujar appears to be in the normal range as an outfielder, but brutal at third base with about equal time at both positions. He hasn't played much first base, but again the numbers they've provided are okay, but a miniscule sample size. 

Andujar as a 1B/DH looks like he could help the club if he can stay on the field. 

[jorgenswest]

Should we be concerned about his BABIP last year which was much higher than his career BABIP entering the season? Any concern that his xBA and xSLG are much lower than his actuals likely driven by BABIP? 

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Should we be concerned about his BABIP last year which was much higher than his career BABIP entering the season? Any concern that his xBA and xSLG are much lower than his actuals likely driven by BABIP? 

Yes

[jorgenswest]

I would love for them to acquire a 1B that is set in the position for a few years. I don’t think you can find that in the under 15 million dollar range. They either need to spend or develop that pre arb player themselves. They can’t develop a 1B if they keep dipping into the one year team friendly free agent bin.

Short of acquiring a fixture I would go with the options they have now. There is some hope in Clemens in that he underperformed his contact numbers last year. There is some hope in Roden who played 1B/OF in college and has a strong track record of hitting in the minors. I think the fixture is Keaschall. His defense at 2B was questionable before the two injuries. I guess it will take time to know if his bat works there but he will have a major league career because of his bat. If his bat isn’t enough at first it probably isn’t enough for a poor defensive 2B. At 2B the Twins could play Martin opening up space for Roden, Rodriguez, Jenkins or Gonzalez in the outfield. They also could play Clemens until Culpepper arrives. Clemens is solid defensively at 2B also and ultimately appears to be a good fit on the bench with his ability to play 5 positions.

[karcherd]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

I'd love (and so would Shelton) to have a lineup of guys who never need to be protected with a platoon, but it's unrealistic.

Why is this unrealistic, maybe with the current makeup of the roster.  But the goal should always be to put your best players out there and have your role players thrive in their assigned role.  This organization thinks this is Strat-o-Matic and you can just move players around like chess pieces.  Having one or possibly two platoon positions is one thing but stop having your goal being to get players that can play anywhere.  They become a jack of all trades and master of none.

[sweetmusicviola16]

13 minutes ago, karcherd said:

Why is this unrealistic, maybe with the current makeup of the roster.  But the goal should always be to put your best players out there and have your role players thrive in their assigned role.  This organization thinks this is Strat-o-Matic and you can just move players around like chess pieces.  Having one or possibly two platoon positions is one thing but stop having your goal being to get players that can play anywhere.  They become a jack of all trades and master of none.

Platooning was never something strived for in the past. It was more of a last resort. Bench players filled in when and where were necessary to rest a starter. Hrbek was going to play 140 games at 1B. Puckett was going out to CF for 150. Same with Gaetti at 3B and Gagne at SS. Leave guys alone and let them play and grow into their position. 

[stringer bell]

6 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Platooning was never something strived for in the past. It was more of a last resort. Bench players filled in when and where were necessary to rest a starter. Hrbek was going to play 140 games at 1B. Puckett was going out to CF for 150. Same with Gaetti at 3B and Gagne at SS. Leave guys alone and let them play and grow into their position. 

Yep, good players should be out there 140+ games. The problem is that the Twins haven't had nearly enough good (or better) position players. Who was the Twins last left handed hitter that was good enough to play every day? Mauer and Morneau? I know Kepler got a lot of PAs against lefties, but it was because they didn't have anybody who was better. Maybe that guy will be Jenkins or maybe it'll be Emma, but right now I can't argue with sitting the lefties against a left handed pitcher. The Twins don't have a Freddie Freeman or Shohei or even a Steven Kwan who should be playing every day, even against lefties.