After weeks of speculation, Andrew Benintendi is heading to the Bronx.
The Yankees acquired left fielder Benintendi from Kansas City Wednesday night.Transaction first reported by YES Network’s Jack Curry Officially announced by the team after a 3–2 loss to the Mets, giving the Yankees high-touch hitters as outfield reinforcements in exchange for three pitching prospects: right-handers Chandler Champlain and Beck Way, and left-handed TJ Sikkema.
Also, if Benintendi chooses not to vaccinate against Covid-19, the team could be a headache in the future. This will prevent you from playing against your division rival Blue Jays in Toronto. At a press conference that introduced him to local media on Thursday, Benintendi said he was “open-minded” to the idea of being vaccinated, but he had not yet promised to get a shot.
28-year-old Benintendi was a Royals All-Star this season. He has a batting average of .320, an on-base percentage of .387, three home runs and 39 RBIs. The trade took place the day after the Yankees put Giancarlo Stanton on the disabled list for left Achilles tendonitis. Joey Gallo doesn’t balance his strikeout-heavy approach with the typical barrage of home runs and walks.
Garo’s average batting average of .161 is just over half that of Benintendi, but both players are above average fielders. However, the difference in power is also large. Benintendi, who hit as many as 20 home runs in the past season, has adjusted his approach to focus on contact. His .399 slugging percentage will be the worst record in the full season.
The Royals, on a losing streak for perhaps their sixth straight season, didn’t have to wait long to face the former outfielder and sole representative in this year’s All-Star Game. Benintendi will lead the Yankees in left field.
“Benintendi is a great hitter. He gets on base with a very high clip and hits from the left side, so yes, he’s balanced,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Told reporters Just before the Yankees announce the trade. “This is already one really good major league batter, and we can extend our lineup and add it to the mix that has the potential to give you the balance you want.”
The move marks Benintendi’s return to the American League East, who was the Boston Red Sox’s first draft pick from the University of Arkansas in 2015 and spent his first five major league seasons with the club. He was sent to the Royals in the February 2021 trade.
“When he was playing in Boston, I had the opportunity to play against him for quite some years,” said Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Told reporters Before the move became official. “I’ve seen him do many impressive things.”
The judge continued: I think he fits perfectly. “
Potentially complicating matters for the Yankees down the road is Benintendi, who was one of 10 Royals who had to be placed on the restricted list ahead of the series in Toronto earlier this month. It is a fact that
“I’m still in the same place,” Benintendi said of his vaccination status. “I’m open-minded about it. I’m not against it. But time will tell.”
Benintendi said he had not discussed his vaccination status with the Yankees before the trade.
The Yankees, who cleared the entire active roster for a trip to Canada earlier this season, left one series in Toronto in late September and could also face the second Blue Jays in the AL East in the postseason. I can do it. If Benintendi agrees to get the vaccine, he has enough time to get it before it becomes a problem.
Despite being one of the most popular outfielders on the market, Benintendi, who is eligible for free agency this offseason, didn’t lose his premium prospects to the Yankees. None of the pitchers acquired by the Royals have more than a high class A experience.
The 2019 first-round pick Sikkema was the Yankees’ 19th pick, according to MLB.com. He posted a 2.48 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) for the High-A Hudson Valley this season. Way, his fourth-round pick of 2020, ranked him 21st in the Yankees system. He posted a 3.73 ERA in 15 starts for the Hudson Valley before the trade.
Meanwhile, Champlain is playing his first season in professional baseball after being selected in the 9th round in last year’s draft. He had a 4.30 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) with Class A Tampa.
With Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching, the Yankees may not be able to complete the deal. Rotation depth is a problem for injured-lister Luis Severino, career-high innings Néstor Cortez and funk’s Jameson Taillon. Available options likely include Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo and Oakland’s Frankie Montas, both right-handers who pitch well for bottom-ranked clubs.
New York may also try to trade for relief following an end-of-season elbow fracture supported by one of Bullpen’s surprise stars of the year, Michael King.
