{"id":142695,"date":"2026-01-20T17:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=142695"},"modified":"2026-01-20T17:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:48:38","slug":"cubs-and-reds-linked-to-miguel-andujar-amid-growing-free-agency-interest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=142695","title":{"rendered":"Cubs and Reds Linked to Miguel Andujar Amid Growing Free Agency Interest"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Miguel Andujar (38) prepares on deck in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. \/ Katie Stratman \/ Imagn Images<\/div>\n

Miguel Andujar\u2019s free agency is starting to pick up steam – and for good reason.<\/p>\n

The former Yankees top prospect, who wrapped up his 2025 campaign with the Cincinnati Reds, is drawing interest from a growing list of clubs. According to reports, six teams are currently in the mix: the Reds, Cubs, Cardinals, Padres, Rangers, and Athletics. That\u2019s a diverse group of suitors, but the NL Central teams – especially the Reds, Cubs, and Cardinals – could be playing a little chess here, knowing that Andujar\u2019s bat could shift the balance within the division.<\/p>\n

Andujar\u2019s resurgence in 2025 didn\u2019t go unnoticed. He slashed .318 with an .822 OPS, and what really stood out was how he torched left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n

Against southpaws, he posted a scorching .389\/.409\/.578 line – the kind of production that makes front offices take notice, especially in a league where platoon advantages are more important than ever. Even against right-handers, he held his own, hitting .290 with a .331 OBP and .429 slugging.<\/p>\n

That kind of balanced production gives Andujar value beyond just a niche bat off the bench. He\u2019s not just a lefty-masher – he\u2019s a legitimate offensive contributor who can help lengthen a lineup.<\/p>\n

And while his defensive fit remains a bit of a question mark – he\u2019s played both third base and corner outfield in his career, but hasn\u2019t locked down a long-term role at either spot – teams are clearly willing to overlook that for what he brings with the bat and in the clubhouse. Word is, both the A\u2019s and Reds spoke glowingly about his presence in the locker room. That matters, especially for teams looking to add veteran leadership to a young core or stabilize the middle tier of their roster.<\/p>\n

Andujar\u2019s market may have also been helped by Rob Refsnyder\u2019s recent deal – a one-year, $6.3 million pact with the Mariners. Refsnyder, another right-handed bat known for crushing lefties, helped set a baseline for what teams are willing to pay for that skillset. And Andujar, with better overall numbers and a longer track record of offensive upside, could be in line for a similar or even better deal.<\/p>\n

At this point, it\u2019s not a matter of if<\/em> Andujar will sign, but where<\/em>. With Spring Training fast approaching, expect the conversations to ramp up quickly.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s a return to Cincinnati or a fresh start in Chicago, St. Louis, San Diego, Texas, or Oakland, Andujar looks like one of the more intriguing bats still on the board – and a potentially savvy pickup for a team looking to add proven production without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IMAGE: Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Miguel Andujar (38) prepares on deck in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. \/ Katie Stratman… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":142696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-142695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nCubs and Reds Linked to Miguel Andujar Amid Growing Free Agency Interest - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=142695\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cubs and Reds Linked to Miguel Andujar Amid Growing Free Agency Interest - 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