Andrew Benintendi on the block? Let’s look at a few possible trade partners

Andrew Benintendi possibly getting dealt? Let’s look at a few possible trade partners

We are nearing a month until the Aug. 2 trade deadline. The Kansas City Royals are looking like one of MLB’s prime sellers and the team is now “actively seeking a buyer” for left fielder Andrew Benintendi, according to The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old is having a solid season, hitting a career-best .299 with a .757 OPS and a 116 OPS+, the third-highest of his career. He’s not generating much power by any means, having totaled only three long balls combined with what would be his lowest slugging percentage (.391) and isolated power (.092) over a full season in his career.

Though he’s getting on-base north of 36 percent of his plate appearances, he currently sports the lowest strikeout percentage of his career (14.0 percent). Benintendi won the AL Gold Glove in 2021 and still offers good defense in left field.

This is his last year of arbitration and would theoretically be on the books for north of $4 million for the rest of the season, if dealt today. But the longer Kansas City waits to trade him, the less he’d make.

Let’s look at a few possible destinations:

New York Yankees

The Yankees’ left field situation has been a tire fire all season.

Joey Gallo has obviously not panned out since joining New York from Texas last trade deadline — slashing .173/.285/.346 — and Aaron Hicks hasn’t been much better. Gallo’s outfield play has considerably looked better in right field, bumping Judge to center and Hicks to left field. Even with one of the top offenses in baseball (despite what happened Saturday….lol), the Yankees’ left field situation needs to get figured out at the trade deadline.

If Brett Gardner was still on the roster, he’d be getting everyday at-bats — like he always did at this time of year. That’s not a good thing, at least not now. Benintenti would help give New York another contact bat with good outfield defense. It’s a great fit at an inexpensive cost.

https://vendettasportsmedia.com/2022-new-york-yankees-deserve-flowers

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa’s left field situation hasn’t been as bad, but it’s also been pretty rough.

Randy Arozarena is a quality right-handed bat, sporting a 111 wRC+, but I’ve never loved him as a defensive left fielder because his arm simply isn’t that strong. Though a change to DH further complicates matters with Harold Ramirez and Manuel Margot. Predicting the Rays is impossible because they have a different lineup seemingly everyday — could they could theoretically platoon Benintendi/Arozarena in left field while keeping Ramirez/Margot as their full time DH’s?

It’s doable; I’m just not sure how likely it’d be. It is worth considering. Ramirez has experience playing around the outfield, but I’m not sure Kevin Cash is willing to sacrifice Kiermaier’s defense in center with better bats. Nevertheless, Tampa should make a run at Benintendi.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers will presumably be in the wild card hunt alongside the Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles (Lol?).

Their outfield situation has been as bad — if not worse — than the two aforementioned teams above. They’ve gotten poor production from Nick Solak, Brad Miller and Eli White, among others. Those three have combined to hit .209/.276/.334 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs, to go along with a 77 wRC+ and a 0.5 fWAR. Not great! Another left-handed bat — like Benintendi — would help mitigate the struggles and add juice to the top of that lineup.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves left field has racked up the lowest fWAR in baseball at minus-1.5. Adam Duvall and Marcell Ozuna have both had significantly below average 2022 campaigns after shining for the reigning World Series champs a year ago. Both are also objectively bad in left — combined, the Braves’ left field has combined for minus-9 defensive runs saved (second-worst in MLB) with minus-5 outs above average (third-worst).

Their production from the left-side of the plate has been average, but adding Benintendi would certainly help mitigate any struggles — offensively and defensively — in left field. I wouldn’t be surprised if Alex Anthopoulos nabbed another outfielder or two come Aug. 2. If he does, should he be available, Andrew Benintendi should be near the top of his list.

SUBSCRIBE to the Vendetta YouTube Channel!

SHOP for Vendetta Merch!

SUPPORT Vendetta on Patreon!