The Kansas City Royals are targeting Oakland Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar to boost their offense for next season. While the Royals have some offensive hot bats, they need more players to back them up. Similar to the Toronto Blue Jays with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While the Royals did make the postseason and improve their 2024 season compared to their 2023 season, they did exit the postseason early. Their lineup was no match against the New York Yankees, who defeated them 3-1 in the ALDS. They have their eyes set on making changes this offseason, and Andujar has come up as a possible trade candidate for them for supplementary offense. Andujar finished this season with a .285 batting average across 75 games, with Oakland increasing the number of games he’s played in a season since 2018.
Royals Offseason Lookout With Athletics Outfielder
Making the Case for Andujar
Andujar is a former Yankee who spent five seasons with them. With the Yankees in 2018, he recorded 47 doubles, two triples, 27 home runs, and 97 RBIs. He hasn’t been able to replicate that season due to injuries that have affected his playing time across his career. As well as not getting a full-time playing role, spending time in the minors this season, and showcasing that the 29-year-old has the opportunity to showcase himself as a trade chip this offseason.
Given the opportunity to play more, he could be a player to help augment their lineup. He is also highlighted as a strong contact hitter. It was announced on August 28th that the Dominican outfielder had to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a lingering core muscle injury that occurred on August 25th. He went from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL.
Royals Offense Offseason Lookout
But Andujar was also on the IL early in the season with a knee injury. Andujar is a former Yankees top prospect and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. That season, Andujar was consistent with hitting extra-base hits. But aside from his time playing with the Yankees, Andujar showed success this season with the Athletics, especially in May when he made his debut.
The Royals believe that Andujar could be a possible fit to amplify secondary offense. The Royals saw solid offense from Bobby Witt Jr. Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino this season. While the Royals were content with their improved 2024 season, they are looking ahead from October. They want to add more depth and make a deeper push in the postseason for next season. Andujar is also a player who is under team control with the Athletics until 2025. That puts him as an impactful player to trade. Discussions of the A’s veteran being traded have been on the radar before the postseason commencement. If he can remain healthy and try to follow his breakout season he would be a solid addition for the Royals to utilize this offseason.
Main Photo Credits: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
