Miguel Andujar
Late Wednesday night, just after Framber Valdez signed with the Detroit Tigers, Miguel Andujar inked a one-year, $4 million deal. This will absolutely be a deal that flies under the radar, and that may be for a good reason, but it also may be a great deal that can help out the San Diego Padres‘ lineup.Â
Miguel Andujar was once a top prospect for the New York Yankees. He arguably should have won the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year award with 27 home runs and a doubles machine in a non-doubles park, but as they say, prospects tend to be a crap shoot. He never returned to his 2018 form, bouncing around with teams like the Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates, but late in 2025, he returned to a familiar form with the Cincinnati Reds, clubbing 10 homers and 44 RBIS, while batting .318. This was a welcome sight for the once superstar hopeful.Â
The San Diego Padres took a $4 million flyer on a player who could provide some pop and average to their lineup after losing Luis Arraez, their division rival San Francisco Giants. They needed a bat in their lineup with upside, and Andujar could do the trick. In my eyes, Padres general manager A.J. Preller hopes that between Andujar and the late 2025 season hero and acquisition Ramon Laureano will give new manager Craig Stammen some options for their outfield.Â
Padres Offseason
Coming into the 2026 offseason, the San Diego Padres’ outlook looked doom and gloom with rumors of trading newly acquired superstar closer Mason Miller, along with some sparse Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade rumors. The team is also in disarray because of the lack of direction from the ownership. Ever since the late Peter Seidler decided to spend a lot of money in later years of his life, it has been difficult for the Padres to sustain the contracts of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado twice, Yu Darvish, Xander Bogaerts, and more. Some of these contracts becoming an immediate loss, have become an issue, and his family is currently battling over the equity of the team and if it should be sold.
This all comes at a point when the San Diego Padres have been perennial contenders for the last six years, and they absolutely have the chance to be a World Series Winner. The Padres have the perfect guy at the helm to handle such a difficult situation and financial uncertainty. A.J. Preller is the guy in your fantasy league that has a new team every week because of the number of trades he makes and trades with gusto at that. Preller had to say goodbye to Dylan Cease, Luis Arraez, and Robert Suarez this offseason, and has not made a big-time signing yet this offseason, because of their financial uncertainty. Although they have not made the big splash, they have made plenty of important supplemental signings, including Sung-Mun Song for infield depth, Triston McKenzie, Jose Miranda, and Miguel Andujar. The Fathers seem to get the best out of players like this. They also brought back Michael King on a 3-year, $66 million deal to be the ace of their staff.
The top of their lineup is the names that can carry you, but the bottom is filled with supplemental pieces that could take them places. Their rotation has much to be desired. The top-three guys in their rotation feel like a step down from their actual role within the rotation, and the depth is not there at all, but this is where A.J. Preller comes into play. If he can figure out a move to make in the pitching department, they should be a team that competes for a top National League Wild Card Spot.
