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TAMPA – When the Yankees signed Troy Tulowitzki in early January, it was a sign that they would not give up a big load of money for Manny Machado to play short.
The Yankees hoped that Tulowitzki would stay healthy and productive long enough to help until Didi Gregorius returned after his surgery at Tommy John.
There was a chance that Machado could play third, but the Yankees said they loved their love for Miguel Andujar, who finished second in the 2018 AL rookie race.
Machado eventually signed a $ 300 million 10-year contract for the Padres and Andujar was no longer likely to be transferred to first base, traded or sent to miners this year.
Those who think that Andujar is not a quality third base player because of the 15 mistakes he made last year by beating .297 with 27 homers and 92 RBIs , immediately began to imagine that Nolan Arenado would not sign a long-term contract with The Rockies and join the Yankees as independent players for the 2020 season or possibly in a mid-season trade.
Well, that will not happen after the Shepherd's third baseman signed an eight-year, $ 260 million contract to stay in Denver on Tuesday.
Andujar spoke of Machado's signature and said that he was concentrating solely on helping the Yankees. He was not at the club after Tuesday's news.
Chances are good that when asked about Arenado's megadeal, Andujar will shrug and have little to say.
However, with Machado in Southern California and Arenado in the Rocky Mountains for a long time, there are two ways to determine the impact on Andujar, who will turn 25 on Saturday.
Does this make him relax on the pitch and on the plate, knowing that these superstars are not going to fall in the Bronx? Or does it put him under pressure for it to match or better than what he did to the plate last year and improve his defense?
In order to reduce the total number of errors, Andujar worked daily with Acting Coach Carlos Mendoza and Guest Instructor Willie Randolph.
"You can see the difference from last year," said Randolph, thanking Mendoza for his work with Andujar. "He's starting to dance. He did not dance last year. "
Dancing is the term used by Randolph for pre-launch preparation.
"Just trust your feet and your hands, do not stagnate," said Randolph. Especially at the third base. Last year, it was stagnant. Not all infielders are dancers. Much of what you do is in your feet. You see children with strong arms who do not trust their feet. "
Manager Aaron Boone traveled twice to Tampa and the Dominican Republic to see how Andujar's training was going. The message to Andujar focused on field preparation, as some of Andujar's mistakes resulted from his lack of proper footing for good throws. This resulted in handgun throws that escaped first base.
Randolph said that he and Mendoza, who will be with Andujar all season, would be constantly talking and on the same page.
"It's not like [Andujar] It's my project, but I'm watching everything, "said Randolph.
And he likes what he's seen so far.
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