After weeks of hypothesis, Andrew Benintendi is heading to the Bronx.
The Yankees acquired Benintendi, a left fielder, from Kansas Metropolis on Wednesday evening, the crew introduced shortly after a 3-2 loss to the Mets in Queens. The deal, which was first reported by Jack Curry of the YES Community, provides the Yankees a high-contact batter as a reinforcement within the outfield in alternate for 3 pitching prospects: the right-handers Chandler Champlain and Beck Manner and the lefty T.J. Sikkema.
It additionally provides the crew a possible headache down the street if Benintendi chooses to stay unvaccinated towards Covid-19, which might make him ineligible for video games in Toronto.
Benintendi, 28, was an All-Star for the Royals this season. He’s hitting .320 with a .387 on-base proportion, three dwelling runs and 39 R.B.I. His arrival comes a day after the Yankees positioned Giancarlo Stanton on the injured record with tendinitis in his left Achilles and in the midst of a troublesome yr for Joey Gallo, whose strikeout-heavy method has not been balanced out along with his typical barrage of dwelling runs and walks.
Gallo’s .161 common is barely greater than half of Benintendi’s, whereas each gamers are above-average fielders. However there may be additionally a large hole in energy: Benintendi, who has hit as many as 20 dwelling runs in a season prior to now, has adjusted his method to emphasise contact. His .399 slugging proportion can be his worst mark in a full season.
“Benintendi’s an excellent hitter. Will get on base at a very excessive clip, hits from the left facet, so yeah, provides you some stability,” Yankees Supervisor Aaron Boone informed reporters simply earlier than the Yankees introduced the commerce. “That’s one other actually good large league hitter so as to add to the combo that’s going to elongate out our lineup and doubtlessly offer you that stability you search for.”
The transfer is a return to the American League East for Benintendi, who was a first-round draft decide of the Boston Purple Sox in 2015 out of the College of Arkansas and spent his first 5 main league seasons with the membership. He was despatched to the Royals in a February 2021 commerce.
The Royals will instantly need to face their former outfielder as Kansas Metropolis begins a four-game collection at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
“I had an opportunity to play towards him for fairly just a few years when he was taking part in over in Boston,” Aaron Choose informed reporters earlier than the transfer was official. “I’ve seen him do loads of spectacular issues.”
Choose continued: “Including a man like that can positively give us somewhat pump-up, that’s for certain. I feel he’s gonna match proper in.”
Probably complicating issues for the Yankees down the street is the truth that Benintendi was considered one of 10 Royals who needed to be positioned on the restricted record forward of a collection in Toronto earlier this month as a result of they weren’t vaccinated towards Covid-19. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark reported that Benintendi’s vaccination standing was not mentioned between the Royals and the Yankees.
The Yankees, whose whole energetic roster was cleared for Canadian journey earlier this season, have one collection left in Toronto in late September and will additionally play the Blue Jays, who’re second within the A.L. East, within the postseason. Benintendi, ought to he conform to get the vaccine, has loads of time to take action earlier than it is a matter.
Regardless of being one of many extra sought-after outfielders in the marketplace, Benintendi, who’s eligible without cost company this low season, didn’t price the Yankees any premium prospects. Not one of the pitchers acquired by the Royals have expertise above Excessive Class-A.
Sikkema, a 2019 first-round decide, was the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect, in line with MLB.com. He owned a 2.48 E.R.A. over 11 video games (10 begins) with Excessive-A Hudson Valley this season. Manner, a 2020 fourth-rounder, ranked twenty first the Yankees’ system. He recorded a 3.73 E.R.A. in 15 begins with Hudson Valley earlier than the commerce.
Champlain, in the meantime, is taking part in his first season of professional ball after being a ninth-round decide in final yr’s draft. He had a 4.30 E.R.A. in 16 video games (15 begins) for Class-A Tampa.
With the Aug. 2 commerce deadline proper across the nook, the Yankees is probably not finished dealing. Rotation depth is a matter with Luis Severino on the injured record, Nestor Cortes at a career-high innings depend, and Jameson Taillon in a funk. The obtainable choices would possible embrace Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo and Oakland’s Frankie Montas, each of whom are pitching nicely for last-place golf equipment.
New York may additionally attempt to commerce for a reliever following a season-ending elbow fracture sustained by Michael King, considered one of this yr’s shock stars within the bullpen.
