The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a two-year, $10MM deal with outfielder Andrew Benintendi, avoiding arbitration, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). The deal is set to pay out $3.4MM this season and $6.6MM in 2021, tweets MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. He will count against the luxury tax at $5MM per season.
The news comes at a good time for the Red Sox, who are mired in negotiations to deal away fellow outfielder Mookie Betts. As for Benintendi, he was eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason, and he’ll have one more season of eligibility after this new extension expires prior to 2022. He is due to hit free agency after the 2022 season.
Prior to reaching the agreement, team and player had been set to face off in arbitration. The Red Sox offered $3.4MM. Benintendi requested $4.150MM. It’s certainly noteworthy that Benintendi ultimately agreed on the sum put forth by the team (with the second year addendum). Benintendi is represented by Excel Sports Management.
Benintendi, 25, wasted no time in making his ascent to the majors after the Red Sox made him a first round pick out of the University of Arkansas in the 2015 draft. He has been a steady contributor in left since making his debut as a 21-year-old at the tail end of 2016. Benintendi’s best year came in 2018 when he put together a stellar campaign at the dish worth 3.9 bWAR/4.4 fWAR, more than playing his part in helping the Red Sox to a now-under-review 2018 World Series title.
Outside of that 2018 season, Benintendi has been closer to average at the plate, sandwiching a 122 wRC+ season in 2018 between marks of 102 wRC+ and 100 wRC+ in 2017 and 2019, respectively. He’s a solid baserunner, and though anecdotal evidence might say otherwise, defensive metrics have not looked kindly on Benintendi’s overall body of work, especially in 2019 (-10 OAA, -3 DRS, 1.4 UZR). Still, at only 25-years-old, there’s plenty of upside remaining in Benintendi’s overall profile, and for the next two seasons, the Red Sox will have him under contract at reasonable rates.
Good deal
Suggests they will still be moving Betts and Price. Otherwise they likely would have done a one year deal for now. Anyway, now bring back Holt.
Not really. Betts would be off the books in 2021 anyway.
I feel worse about losing Holt than I do Betts..
One could have been resigned for a reasonable price…and the other was a business decision.
And just WHERE would Holt play??
Randy, Same as he always had and he could get more outfield use. Yes it’s late but JBJ might still also be traded. As to wv17, I’m thinking about getting under the tax in 20. The average AAV announced is higher this way and they probably would have converted it to a two year deal after Betts is moved in July or absorbed the full amount for 21 on next year’s books. Handshake agreement now that either side could technically still void but ,ikely wouldn’t as they both try to work on a fair longer term deal that at least takes out 22 as well.
Other than the timing, I don’t really think this has anything to do with Betts..Even with the trade already being done now, I just think the timing of this was more coincidental than anything else…
Benny still has 3 years of control left regardless, I think this was just Boston assuring themselves that Benny won’t get a significant boost in arbitration come year two if he has a really strong 2020 campaign..Which, by all accounts from their hitting coach, after he has been working with AB on some adjustments, their hitting coach fully expects Andrew Benintendi to have a big 2020 season…
Like the article states, by going ahead and agreeing to this 2yr deal now, his tax hit will be more this season at 5mil, but, more importantly for the Red Sox, it will be less next year at the same rate of 5mil.
Again, this deal let’s Boston know exactly what AB is going to cost, and it protects them against a possible large arbitration raise next season..
If you want to read anything from this deal, I think this it is a probable sign that the Red Sox are planning to spend a good bit come next off-season..
Just more proof that smarts don’t top experience. Bloom looks bad so far. Benni could have been signed on an extension that kept him in Boston through a few free agent years too if Chaim just dangled a little more carrot.
We can all breath a collective sigh of relief though. The BoSox look like the BoSox again, a big market team pretending to be a small market team, making dumb moves, and letting the rest of the league enjoy one less juggernaut to deal with every year.
Noooooooo the Brockstar hasta return!!!!!!!!!!
Ejamp, a longer term deal now would have high AAV implications, wait until the roster is set and they see what the 2020 tax numbers look like.
How is this a dumb move?? Red Sox have now assured themselves of obtaining Benny at a low tax hit next season, which guards them against possibly having to give him a huge arbitration raise if Benintendi explodes this year..
It provides them with some flexibility moving forward, whether they want to spend next off-season, or if they want to remain under the tax and wait another season to spend..
It also allows them some time to further see just exactly what kind of player Benintendi is going to turn into..Thus far, he has had a stellar year sandwiched in between two very mediocre seasons, both offensively and defensively.
AB was not at all satisfied with his 2019 season, and he’s been working with their hitting coach, making adjustments, and he is hellbent on having a bounceback 2020 campaign.
Right now, it doesn’t even make sense for AB to sign an extension. His value isn’t very high right now, and he wouldn’t have alot of leverage in negotiations..
It might end up costing the Red Sox a little more in the long run, if Benintendi does catch fire, and has an awesome 2020 season, but J would much rather the Red Sox be safe, rather than commit a longterm deal on a relative unknown..Especially, if Benintendi is wanting a proce point based off the success of his 2018 season..
It isn’t like Benintendi would just take a cheap longterm deal for the heck of it, he has a ton of potential and an excellent pedigree. Benintendi likely wants to bet on himself this season rather than take a team friendly, longterm deal right now. Add that to the fact that Boston wants and needs flexibility for the next off-season, and I just cannot see an extension making any sense for either party..
They can always revisit further extension talks after this season or the following season, and that is just the most intelligent move for both the team and the player..
How this could be seen as a bad or dumb move by Boston is what really doesn’t make sense..Maybe it makes sense if I am a salty Red Sox fan, that is frustrated, and I just want to be negative and complain just for the sake of expressing my frustration..To that I just say, try to take your emotions out of it, and see the bigger picture. Once you do, you will realize this is a smart move for Boston and the right move for both parties involved..
I adore Benni n his play!! Good for him!
You adore lackadaisical mediocrity?
Hey man, Boston fans don’t have a lot to cling to right now
I’m a Sox fan
Are you a Sox and Steelers fan? I see you commenting on Steelers stuff sometimes so I wasn’t sure lol
Nothing lackadasical in Beni’s game the way he plays it and considering he’s only making an average of 5m the next 2y while JBJ is making 10m for 2020 alone.. I’ll take Beni for value on the dollar. Bradley can’t hit for squat 9/10ths of the season.
Bradley is going to the Padres soon so don’t worry.
11 million for JBJ in 2020
Had a lousy year but supposedly he lost the added weight no he purposely gained before last season. I was for trying to trade him before his bigger money years but if not, we can certainly do a lot worse. He reminds me of z
Mike Greenwell. Now he has to win a batting title.
Agreed! Beni’s solid and has been clutch when needed. Plus his attitude is infectious just like Brock and Pedroia. Had Mookie been more in line with JBJ et al he might have been offered more to avoid rental status.
Dynamite, it was Benni who made the clutch catch in the Alcs in 2018, a hard clutch play!
why don’t Red Sox try him in RF
RF is tough at Fenway but in general he might be better suited
Because they plan on having Verdugo and his cannon arm there
Hell probably be in cf next year with Bradley leaving, unless they trade him sooner.
Because he’d be better in center than right
He doesn’t have the arm for right.
Eye they may hafta.
Benni was always a centerfielder. He has the talent. He’s a good guy, n these days what will we look forward to? Oh I know Price acting up all spring training n yr, maybe a fist fight with Eck?
I can’t wait for spring training n this yr. Oh I forgot, we have the cheating report due in also. And what’s better than 2 disgruntled players n the drama following them.
Benintendi reminds me of Mike Greenwell.
Sorry 30 Parks. I just stole your thunder…
Nooooooo Mike was a terrible defender.
Terrible is too strong a word pasha. Manny would deserve that rating. Greenwell to me was average to even slightly above average for a left fielder where the worst of the three outfielders was normally stashed.
Benintendi better check the fine print. They made have lied to him about the numbers to try to get a better deal later. I would hate for Benientidi to get cheater.. I mean cheated…….
Did you come up with that all by yourself?
Albert Belle, cough, cough
Boston=trash
Is that comment necessary Tiber?
Truth is always neccessary. It hurts cause it is the the way it is.
It’s sour grapes what I see.
Cleveland fan that is simply jealous. Imagine where the Indians would have been in recent years if they weren’t in the easiest AL division. Team lost a heartbreaker in 15 but that aside where have they been?
Sour grapes? Why would I be jealous of a low life organization? The fact is you play who is on your schedule. Where have they been? One of the most winningest teams in baseball since Francona became manager. The fact you are defending this classless team is wild. If it was Cleveland, I call their crap out too. Boston thinks this will go away in time. It won’t and I’m going make sure people don’t forget. I don’t care what you or anyone thinks about it. I’m not here to make friends. Redsox are a blight on baseball and I am so happy they are going get what they deserve. Burn Boston burn
No dude, the majority of us are ready to watch baseball in 2020. I won’t even be giving the cheating scandal a second thought. Not everyone is obsessed with it. You’re simply using it as an excuse for your cheap penny-pinching team still not having won a championship since 1948. 1948!!!
Of course, the majority of Red Sox fans won’t. They want it to be swept under the the rug. People who lie, steal, and cheat always do. If you were a lowlife, you want that to be forgotten. They want to pretend that redemption is possible. Their is none to be had here for The RedSox or Astros for a very long time, if ever. Also, what does the Tribe have to do with the POS on the Houston and Redsox staff and roster? You keep acting like taking about my team or detouring the attention will help? It won’t. I’m not like 99.8 percent of these egg heads on here who barely have enough sense to wake up in the morning. People care. This will not just be forgotten this year or anytime soon.
Triber4life— give it up man— we get it.. you don’t like the Sox….
“Two high-ranking officials involved in the investigation told USA TODAY Sports they believe that the Red Sox will receive no more than a light punishment, with no evidence of cheating.”
If any evidence at all is found and it will, they’re cheaters and I will not give it up. I don’t have nothing personal against RedSox. They were irrelevant this year in that division before this. They were not going to the playoffs with or without Betts. Its very convenient for RedSox fans to forget it. Haha. That’s rich. It won’t. It’s going be mentioned in every article and talked about. Get used to it. You let that go.
Nice deal for Boston! Costs them a little more this season against the CBT but if Benny breaks out this year, they have him locked into a great salary for 2021 & only counts $5M against the tax threshold. Even if Benny has another average season, he’s worth every penny of this. If only Mookie thought this way…sigh
If only mookie thought what way?
I’m sure he thinks beni IS worth that deal.
But if you mean you want him to sign to stay in Boston, Boston offered him 10/300. He is worth more.
Mookie’s true value will depend on the next CBA. Same as others in his class. If the Sox 2020 situation has taught ownerships one thing, it’s the necessity now more than ever to run a team as a business with long term projections. They always did this to a degree and mostly explains the Mets financial mess after Madoff but 2020 shows that even a financially stable organization has to look several years ahead. In simple terms, the tax limit penalties haven’t kept pace with revenue streams. Such could have been deliberate at first but the Sox mess of rewarding loyalty, trading to win now and just throwing around stupid money put them where they are now – over the tax base and a worse minor league system than most other teams.
You’re right. But i’m not suggesting the red Sox offer mookie more. They did the right thing, and now can be restructured to work more like the dodgers organization.
Bargain. They could have bought 1/6 of a mookie with that money!
Good news!
Red Sox and Astros are the clowns of the MLB right now
Number 1 and 2 ace clowns.
Another clown comment from you.
I rarely get the opportunity to watch the Red Sox so can any fan who sees them with any regularity speak to the writers poor defense statement? Is it that he doesn’t know how to play balls off the wall, his arm strength, accuracy or what?
10d is a centerfielder and he plays left field in Fenway like a centerfielder meaning yes the wall can eat him up. If Bradley wasn’t here he would probably profile as an average defensive center fielder.
It almost seems like a guess which way it’s going to carom off that monster.
Good stuff, thanks.
I watch / attend over 100 Sox games per year (at least parts of 100+). His defense is slightly above average if you ask me. He has good, not great range and gets a good jump on balls too. While he has the range and skills to play CF or RF, he just doesn’t have the arm. Below average arm strength, especially compared to JBJ and Betts. Both Jackie & Mookie have cannons. Jackie might have one of the strongest OF arms in the league. We’ll miss that terribly when both are gone.
As an Angel and Laker fan, I’ve always viewed Boston teams as our evil adversaries but have admired the general fanbase’s knowledge of their sports teams. Appreciate the insight, thank you.
Agree Dorothy 100%.
You must be a Yankees fan
Yay, the Red Sox have done something good this offseason!
Better sign it quick. The sox may get cold feet at the last minute.
Bang up deal?
He’s a good ball player.. Sox got a steal with this deal
If he bounces back $5m per year is a steal!
He’s so Over rated. If he played for the Mariners you’d never hear about him. I’m not an East Coast bias guy in every circumstance but this is clearly
One of those times
Benni is a clutch defender, n hitter. He’s not Trout or Mookie but he’s a good player. Teams need those kinda players. You don’t need an all star at every position. We love Benni!
I think one good play in the 2018 playoffs is a bit much to be calling him clutch. He’s a very solid hitter with average defense but honestly I agree with ryc, he’s very overrated. Ordinary (at best) to below average arm without great range. Again not to say he’s terrible but I wouldn’t call him more than decent to good based on what he’s shown so far.
Just a guess but I think this contract will loosen him up allow him to be the player he is.
He bulked up for 2019 and it cost him quickness. I heard his new nickname as Benny biceps in preseason and the hope was he would develop more power but in reality it hurt him. I expect him to come back much leaner and quicker again and be an even more mature version of what he was in 2018. He doesn’t need to be a 30 home run hitter he just needs to be quick to the ball like he was in 2018 with one of the sweetest swings in baseball.
I think he is going to bounce back big time and make this signing look really good.
I thought it was because he cut those luscious locks. He needs to bring back the long hair.
Benny’s deal is a good deal for both the player and the team.. I wish they had offered a 3 year–$20 M deal to JBJ. He could have been marketed better in trade talks. I hope when the LA trade is completed it will include Maeda and Verdugo.
When the season starts-JBJ will be in CF, Benny in LF and Verdugo in RF
Chris Young and his “Big Apple” watch.
I predict the Sox will trade Evoldi and Benny or JBJ at the deadline to a contender if they are not in the race.