Forgotten Reds farmhand may have just disrupted Cincy's plans for Miguel Andujar

The Cincinnati Reds made a last-minute deal with the Athletics last July and were able to acquire right-handed hitter Miguel Andujar just before the MLB trade deadline passed. A nagging quad injury limited Andujar's effectiveness, but the slugger still hit .359/.400/.544 in 34 games with the Reds during the second-half of the season.

To date, Andujar remains unsigned and represents a potential free agent target for the Reds. But a former Cincinnati farmhand may have disrupted the market, and Andujar's price tag might've just shot through the roof.

According to ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney, former Reds' minor-leaguer Rob Refsnyder may have altered the market for right-handed hitters who mash left-handed pitching. Refsnyder, who would've looked good in a Reds uniform, used his success with the Boston Red Sox in 2025 to secure a one-year, $6.3 million deal with the Seattle Mariners earlier this offseason.

Rob Refsnyder's deal with the Mariners may have priced the Reds out of Miguel Andujar's market

Resnyder was part of the Reds' minor-league system in 2019. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Louisville and hit .315/.377/.500 across 85 games, but never received a big-league call-up. The outfielder made it back to the major leagues in 2020 with the Texas Rangers, and then found much more secure footing with the Red Sox in 2022.

Refsnyder had become somewhat of a specialist for Boston the past two seasons, hitting .278/.357/.476 with the majority of his success coming against southpaws. The 34-year-old became a free agent this offseason, and will be suiting up for the AL West champions in 2026.

There are some differences between Refsynder and Andujar. The former Reds slugger is nowhere near the defender than Refsynder is, and will likely be ticketed for a DH-only role once he agrees to a free agent contract this winter. Andujar, however, had success against both left-handed and right-handed pitching last season, which could increase his value on the open market.

The $6.3 million deal Refsynder signed with the Mariners is likely the floor for Andujar. Given Cincinnati's financial constraints this offseason, a reunion seems quite unlikely at this point. But depending on the fallout from Thursday's arbitration deadline, the Reds might be able to cobble enough together to make an offer for Andujar.