The Boston Red Sox are searching for a right-handed bat before the trade deadline to help mitigate their struggles against lefty pitching.
The Oakland A's will be sellers before July 30. Rookie reliever Mason Miller and designated hitter Brent Rooker are among their most popular potential trade pieces, but the Red Sox could make good use of one of their soon-to-be-free agents.
A few rumors have circulated around A's utility man Miguel Andújar, who's had the best season of his career in Oakland. The Dominican Republic native is a former New York Yankees top prospect and finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, but he never panned out with the club.
Andújar is slashing .302/.324/.420 in 50 games with the A's. There isn't a ton of power behind his bat, as he's hit 12 doubles and four homers all season, but he gets on base rather consistently and rarely strikes out.
Red Sox could target A's Miguel Andújar, former Yankees Rookie of the Year candidate, for right-handed offensive boost
Andujar ties it up 👀 pic.twitter.com/A2faGpyxds
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 24, 2024
Andújar has spent most of the 2024 campaign in the outfield, but the utility player has experience in both corner infield slots. The Red Sox aren't expecting Triston Casas' return to action for weeks — Andújar could platoon at first base with Dominic Smith or play third for Rafael Devers if his sore shoulder needs a bit of extra rest.
The 29-year-old Andújar signed a one-year deal with Oakland before the 2024 slate and he would be a cheap deadline rental for the Red Sox, who haven't been willing to make risky trades involving prospects in recent years.