The Padres have made a strategic move by agreeing to terms with free agent Miguel Andujar, a right-handed hitter with a proven track record of success. Andujar's signing comes as a surprise to many, given his recent performance and the team's stated priorities.
Andujar, who has primarily played third base and left field, will make $4 million in 2026, according to ESPN. The Padres plan to utilize him as a designated hitter, a role that has become increasingly important in modern baseball.
In 2025, Andujar had his best season since his rookie year in 2018, hitting .318 with an .822 OPS in 341 plate appearances for the Athletics and Reds. He slugged 10 home runs and drove in 44 runs, showcasing his power and ability to contribute offensively.
However, Andujar's performance has been inconsistent over the years. In 2018, he batted .297 with an .895 OPS over 606 plate appearances, earning a 3.9 fWAR. Since then, his production has declined, with just a 0.2 fWAR in the subsequent seasons. Andujar has not had more than 162 plate appearances in any of the five seasons following 2018, and he appeared in just 319 plate appearances in 2024.
Despite his recent injuries, Andujar has maintained a strong contact rate of 82.2% when on the field, ranking him in the top fifth among MLB hitters with at least 1,500 plate appearances since 2018. This consistency in contact rate is a positive sign for the Padres, who are looking to boost their offensive production.
One of Andujar's strengths is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. Over his nine MLB seasons, he has hit .297 with an .807 OPS against left-handed pitchers. In the 2025 season, the Padres ranked 19th in the MLB with a .691 OPS against lefties, indicating a clear need for improvement in this area.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller emphasized the team's focus on adding bats and acquiring motivated players. While the Andujar signing may be seen as a surprise, it addresses the team's need for a designated hitter and provides a potential boost to their offensive capabilities. The Padres' strategy of finding bargains to fill holes is a testament to their commitment to building a competitive team.
