Are we talking about the same Andujar? This guy has been worth a TOTAL of -.7 fWAR in the last 7 years. Sadly, that's still a major upgrade over Jordan Walker somehow.
82birds wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 22:38 pm
I didn't realize he'll turn 31 on March 2.
too old for the Cards?
I don’t know much about him maybe he wasn’t much of a leader the Cardinals are looking for a veteran who also provides leadership. It wasn’t the 4 million dollar price tag. Or it could have just been the cardinals were offering him about what San Diego was and he wanted to play for a team that went to the post season last season and would rather play in sunny California instead of St. Louis could be a number of things doesn’t have to be he’s too old or cards are too cheap
12xu wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 21:02 pm
$4MM was too much for DeWitt I suppose. Don't want to block Church, Fermin, and Saggese playing in LF? Sounds like a Mo move. Maybe they have faith in Nootbaar to play in April..........
brock118 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 20:56 pm
Andujar signing with San Diego 1 year $4 million.
Yes, I commented on this on the other post. Pretty telling when the Cardinals wouldn’t even go 4 mil on a guy. They are going with what they have and they should at this point.
Then why did they sign Dustin May to a 12 MM contract instead of going with some young Memphis pitchers?
May is 28 with a high up side. Andujar is 30 and worse than a cheaper younger Donovan that we just traded.
I’ll be glad when Cardinal fans expect more that mediocrity from players. Andugar wouldn’t be a difference maker.
May is an interesting get. At only 28, he could be quite valuable if the Cards competitive window is 2 years out. Or, if healty, a valuable trade piece at the deadline.
The more you look at the May signing, I think the Cards did it for 2 reasons. First, they have a bit of an inning crunch they need to manage at the ML level. If some of the prospects pitch well at Memphis, that crunch may be relieved. Second, if May pitches well, he could be worth a ton at the trade deadline. If he is terrible and only pitches 10-12 games, $12M is not a huge amount of money.
I was hoping the Cards would be ready to compete again in 2027. But, the Donovan trade and the return received indicated they are really not trying to compete again until 2028 maybe even 2029. After understanding that, it put a different perspective on the May signing. Purely innings management and potential value increase during 2026.
brock118 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 20:56 pm
Andujar signing with San Diego 1 year $4 million.
Yes, I commented on this on the other post. Pretty telling when the Cardinals wouldn’t even go 4 mil on a guy. They are going with what they have and they should at this point.
Then why did they sign Dustin May to a 12 MM contract instead of going with some young Memphis pitchers?
May is 28 with a high up side. Andujar is 30 and worse than a cheaper younger Donovan that we just traded.
I’ll be glad when Cardinal fans expect more that mediocrity from players. Andugar wouldn’t be a difference maker.
May is an interesting get. At only 28, he could be quite valuable if the Cards competitive window is 2 years out. Or, if healty, a valuable trade piece at the deadline.
The more you look at the May signing, I think the Cards did it for 2 reasons. First, they have a bit of an inning crunch they need to manage at the ML level. If some of the prospects pitch well at Memphis, that crunch may be relieved. Second, if May pitches well, he could be worth a ton at the trade deadline. If he is terrible and only pitches 10-12 games, $12M is not a huge amount of money.
I was hoping the Cards would be ready to compete again in 2027. But, the Donovan trade and the return received indicated they are really not trying to compete again until 2028 maybe even 2029. After understanding that, it put a different perspective on the May signing. Purely innings management and potential value increase during 2026.
Maybe 2028, as I don't hold much hope for baseball in 2027. Hope I am wrong on one hand, but on the other hand, maybe a long lockout is exactly what the sport needs.
At this point I have grown weary of debating this subject with all of you folks. Andujar had a very fine comeback season last year after years of injury. He plays multiple positions where the Cards could use a RHH alternative. He could have been signed to a 1 year contract with incentives that could easily have beaten the Padres' offer. He was not going to "block" anyone significant. If he had a strong first half of the season, and the Cards were by then pleased with certain young OF in their system, Andujar could have been flipped at the deadline to a contender for more prospects. Yes there would be some risk in
that scenario, but certainly no more risk in all of these prospect the Cardinals have obtained.
brock118 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 20:56 pm
Andujar signing with San Diego 1 year $4 million.
Yes, I commented on this on the other post. Pretty telling when the Cardinals wouldn’t even go 4 mil on a guy. They are going with what they have and they should at this point.
Let's see: Padres? Cardinals? One team is a playoff contender and one is in major rebuild mode. Sunny So. Cal or the Midwest? Where would you go?
Padres are competing for bupkis this year. That window is closed. Machado is old. Bogaerts hasn't done much for a while. Tatis is good if he can stay on the field. They have another stud outfielder, too, but other than that they're cooked.
12xu wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 21:02 pm
$4MM was too much for DeWitt I suppose. Don't want to block Church, Fermin, and Saggese playing in LF? Sounds like a Mo move. Maybe they have faith in Nootbaar to play in April..........
Why would you block them in 2026 for oft injured, 31 year old Miguel Andujar, who is coming off a career year while playing half his games in a bond box? ?
I'd rather see what guys under 30, and all three of those guys, who probably have a brighter future ahead of them, can do.
12xu wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 21:02 pm
$4MM was too much for DeWitt I suppose. Don't want to block Church, Fermin, and Saggese playing in LF? Sounds like a Mo move. Maybe they have faith in Nootbaar to play in April..........
Why would you block them in 2026 for oft injured, 31 year old Miguel Andujar, who is coming off a career year while playing half his games in a bond box? ?
I'd rather see what guys under 30, and all three of those guys, who probably have a brighter future ahead of them, can do.
2025 was not his career year, that would be his 2018 rookie season, when he was runner up to Ohtani for AL ROY. He hit 27 HR with 92 RBI and a slash line of .297/.328/.527/.855. 1 year contract would not block any of those guys for PT.