Former Yankees Star Will NOT Become Free Agent; Accepts Minor League Assignment

For the second time in 2023, the power of the buck surpassed the power of freedom for former New York Yankees Rookie of the Year runner-up, Miguel Andujar. 

Pirates OF Miguel Andujar, who was DFA’d last Friday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis.

— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) May 24, 2023

He has accepted a minor league assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates following passing through waivers after being designated for assignment last week. Andujar had the right to reject that assignment and choose to be a free agent. 

But that would have meant forfeiting the $1.525M he's earning this season, as he has less than five years' service. Seeing as he's had trouble making the Pirates — twice this season — it's unlikely he'd find a better contract anywhere else. 

The Bucs called up the 28 year old at the end of April, and he slashed .161/.212/.387 in his 33 plate appearances before being DFA'd for the second time this calendar year.

As a rookie with the Yankees in 2018, Andujar burst onto the scene batting .297 with an .855 OPS, 27 homers, and 92 RBIs. But he hasn't been able to come anywhere close to that production in small sample sizes in the following years, never hitting more than six longballs in a season, or driving in more than 17. 

He will now go back down to Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate, where he hit .284 earlier this season with an .864 OPS and 15 RBIs in 23 games. Perhaps he'll get another look if the need arises in the Steel City. 

Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports