Reports suggest the St. Louis Cardinals are exploring the addition of a right-handed hitter, with free-agent infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar emerging as a potential option. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cardinals are among several teams showing strong interest in Andujar. President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has openly stated his desire to add a right-handed bat capable of handling both infield and outfield duties, a description that fits Andujar well. Over his major league career, Andujar has logged time at first base, third base, and both corner outfield spots.
While defense is not his calling card, Andujar brings significant value with his bat, particularly against left-handed pitching. In 2025, he was outstanding in those matchups, posting a .389/.409/.578 slash line and a .986 OPS across 93 plate appearances. His .421 wOBA and 171 wRC+ ranked him fifth in all of MLB among right-handed hitters with at least 90 plate appearances versus lefties, trailing only Aaron Judge, Ivan Herrera, Shea Langeliers, and Byron Buxton.
That skill set would be especially useful for a Cardinals lineup expected to lean heavily left-handed, with players such as Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbaar, JJ Wetherholt, Victor Scott II, and possibly Brendan Donovan. Adding a dependable right-handed option would give manager Oliver Marmol a valuable counter when facing tough left-handed starters. Last season, only two Cardinals hitters Ivan Herrera and Nolan Gorman recorded a wRC+ above 100 against lefties with a minimum of 90 plate appearances, underscoring the need for balance.
Defensively, Andujar offers versatility but limited effectiveness, as reflected by his -7 outs above average last season. However, he does possess one standout defensive trait: a strong throwing arm. His outfield throws averaged over 92 mph, which could help compensate for limited range by allowing him to cut down runners attempting to take extra bases.
Fangraphs projects Andujar to command a one-year deal worth around $5.5 million. Given the reported level of interest, the Cardinals may need to slightly exceed that figure, possibly by including incentives or a club option for 2027. The role available in St. Louis could appeal to Andujar, making the primary hurdle the financial terms. Whether Bloom can close the deal should become clearer in the weeks ahead.
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