Free Miguel Andujar

In 2018, Miguel Andujar was the Rookie of the Year runner-up. He hit 27 bombs with 92 RBIs. He led the Yankees in both hits and batting average. Over the weekend, he was once again sent down to AAA and has reportedly requested a trade.

Since 2018, Andujar has played in only 90 games. He’s battled with injuries and the narrative that he is incapable of playing defense. And yes, he’ll never win a Gold Glove award but there are plenty of terrible fielders with big bats getting far more playing time than Andujar has received in New York.

Sure, Andujar has had a tough 2022. In 12 games, he has only 2 extra base hits while slashing .268/.279/.317. The Yankees are the best team in baseball and don’t have time to allow Miggy a grace period to figure out his swing so they sent him back to AAA.

But at what point does New York take responsibility for its inability to develop any young talent?

Whether it’s Greg Bird, Tyler Austin, Gary Sanchez, Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier. Rookies get called up, have explosive first seasons where they look like future Hall of Famers only to come back each year looking like shells of their former selves who appear to have never held a baseball bat before in their lives.

The Yankees are either historically terrible at developing prospects or they are intentionally sabotaging the careers of players because they don’t feel like paying all of them the money they would deserve when their minor league deals finally expire.

Either way, free Miguel Andujar.

At age 27, you cannot tell me he couldn’t move to the National League and play DH every day for a team like the Cincinnati Reds who have a roster full of gym teachers and Joey Votto. Give him 162 games and there’s no doubt he can contribute.

Fortunately for the Yankees, they have All-Stars at every single position and don’t need Andujar to return to his rookie form. But there is no reason to hold him hostage in AAA at this point in his career.

If the Yankees don’t care about his playing time or his numbers or his salary, I just hope they free him for the sole purpose of allowing him miles of separation from Josh Donaldson. We all deserve peace.