3 Chicago White Sox trade packages for Miguel Andujar

Earlier this week Hector Gome reported that Miguel Andujar had requested a trade from the New York Yankees. The report was later confirmed by Ken Rosenthal.

Andujar looked to be a cornerstone of the Yankees franchise after a breakout season in 2018. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, slashing .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs. Since then, he has only played in 90 games due to shoulder surgery and wrist issues.

While he has been on the IL, the Yankees have filled his void with other players such as Gio Urshela and Josh Donaldson. Andujar has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of playing time and constant bouncing around between Triple-A and the majors.

Being optioned to Triple-A for Giancarlo Stanton just compounded the growing list of frustrations for Andujar. This is not the first time the 27-year-old has requested a trade. However, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman does not want to unload him for cheap.

The Yankees are also under no obligation to trade him either since he is under team control through the 2024 season. Andujar is earning $1.3MM in 2022, in his first year of arbitration eligibility.

Cashman may have no choice considering that Andujar is slashing just .234/.260/.329 in 319 plate appearances since from 2019-to 2022. He runs the risk of it plummeting further if he hangs onto the disgruntled prospect.

With his stock being on the downswing, the Chicago White Sox might be able to put a package together to acquire his services.

Andujar is a third baseman by trade but can also play outfield. The White Sox offense has been struggling so adding a player with high offensive upside could be just what they need to helo jump-start things.

The White Sox have a depleted farm system. They also have Yoan Moncada locked in at third base with Jake Burger backing him up.

They don’t need a third baseman. In the outfield, they are waiting for Eloy Jimenez to return from a rehab stint. However, given his injury history, it may be in their best interest to move him to designated hitter full time.

For the right price, Andujar could be a buy-low option with a high ceiling to spring for. It is going to be difficult for them to add any help at the trade deadline because of their lack of assets. They already got outbid for Sean Maneana’s services earlier this year.

But since Andujar’s stock is low, it is worth Rick Hahn to pick up the phone and inquire about adding him. The chances of the White Sox acquiring him are slim to none. But here are three trade packages the White Sox could try and put together if they wanted to add Andujar:

The Chicago White Sox could make a big move for Miguel Andujar if they want.

Micker Adolfo was optioned to Triple-A after having a great spring training, despite having no options remaining. That should tell you that the White Sox thinks he is expendable. Adolfo cleared waivers and is currently playing for the Charlotte Knights.

One could argue that he has the rawest power in the White Sox farm system. Last season, Adolfo crushed 25 home runs between his stints in Birmingham and Charlotte. He is a huge right-handed hitter with quick hands that produce good bat speed through the zone.

His major concern is his high strikeout rate. He has a career rate of 33 percent which will need to be lowered if he wants any shot at sticking around in the big leagues.

However, another thing Adolfo has going for him is his arm. He bounced back from Tommy John’s surgery and has produced 21 outfield assists in seven professional seasons.

Meanwhile, Kelley was a high school standout in 2019. He has a huge arm with fastballs that range from 93 to 98 mph. Despite his raw talent, his first taste of professional baseball was a sour one.

Kelley got lit up for a 7.61 ERA with 26 walks in just 23 2/3 innings. To make matters worse, he showed up out of shape for the 2021 season. His ceiling as a pitcher may be enough for teams to take a flier on him.

Both Adolfo and Kelley are flawed players. But so is Andujar so maybe a change of scenery can do everyone some good.

The Chicago White Sox could consider trading prospects for MLB players.

This is a trade that Rick Hahn probably would not want to make. Cespedes is a much better outfielder than Andujar. But Andujar has had success in the big leagues and Cespedes is a 24-year-old that is still in Double-A.

Cespedes may be one of the few players in the White Sox farm system that could pique the interest of Brian Cashman. Last season he slashed .285/.350/.463 with eight homers and 18 steals in 72 games between High-A and Double-A.

This was especially impressive considering he had a two-year layoff from live competition. He tends to be over-aggressive at the plate, resulting in a high strikeout rate. Last season, he struck out at a 28 percent clip. His five percent walk rate does not do much to ease concerns.

However, his knack for base stealing and good arm strength make him an intriguing player in the White Sox farm system. Because the White Sox spent time and money to sign him during the international signing period, they are likely to hang onto him.

Another thing Cespedes has going for him is that he is a natural outfielder. Andujar is a third baseman by trade that happens to play outfield occasionally. Could this trade happen? Yes. Will it? No.