There are two moments that probably represent the peak of Miguel Andújar’s Yankee career, one private and one very public. In the 2017 offseason, the Yankees were pursuing a trade for Gerrit Cole, a pitcher who the team had coveted since drafting him in the first round out of high school in 2008. The Pirates wanted a package of both Clint Frazier and Andújar, a sticking point for Brian Cashman.
That faith — or perhaps stubbornness, a theme we’ll return to — was rewarded once baseball started up again. Andújar triple-slashed .297/.328/.527, famously broke Joe DiMaggio’s franchise record for doubles by a rookie with 47, and in that public peak, finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting to Shohei freakin’ Ohtani.