Yankees Trade Rumors: Padres Pursued Miguel Andujar, Deal Could've Pushed Manny Machado To New York

The San Diego Padres announced the acquisition of Manny Machado Friday, agreeing to pay him a record-setting free-agent contract worth $300 million. It’s a signing that didn’t seem like a possibility a few months ago when the New York Yankees were thought to be the favorite for the star infielder.

New York was one of three teams—a group that didn’t include the Padres—to meet with Machado in December. The Yankees were reportedly prepared to make the 26-year-old a lucrative offer, and they even discussed sending their current third baseman to San Diego in order to make room for the potential addition.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees and Padres had trade talks regarding Miguel Andujar earlier in the offseason. Acquiring the young third baseman likely would’ve meant San Diego would’ve never entered the race for Machado.

Perhaps the Chicago White Sox would’ve made the best offer for Machado, but Nightengale indicates that the four-time All-Star would’ve signed with the Yankees if such a trade was agreed upon. New York was reportedly Machado’s top choice, but the organization didn’t come close to meeting his asking price.

Andujar found himself at the center of trade rumors during the Winter Meetings in December. There were reports that the Yankees, Miami Marlins and New York Mets discussed a three-way deal involving Andujar. The Yankees reportedly would’ve received Noah Syndergaard and catcher J.T. Realmuto would’ve gone to the Mets.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal suggested late in 2018 that the Padres might try to trade for Andujar when rival executives indicated that New York was open to dealing the runner-up for last year’s AL Rookie of the Year award. The Yankees have publicly been steadfast in their desire to have Andujar be their third baseman of the future.

Andujar hit .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs in 149 games as a 23-year-old in the 2018 MLB season.