With the Royals struggling, Andrew Benintendi has been seen as a logical trade candidate as the deadline approaches. To this end, “the Royals are actively seeking a buyer for” the outfielder, The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham writes.
There isn’t any indication that a deal could be close, and it would be a little surprising to see Benintendi moved with more than a month remaining before the August 2 trade deadline. That said, Kansas City president of baseball operations Dayton Moore doesn’t always wait until the last minute to swing significant deadline moves. The Royals dealt Martin Maldonado and Homer Bailey in separate trades in mid-July 2019, and Kelvin Herrera and Jon Jay were moved in June of 2018.
In short, if a team steps up early to make what Moore deems to be an acceptable offer, K.C. could opt to get a jump-start on its deadline plans. With only a 26-43 record heading into today’s action, the Royals have the second-worst record in the American League, and have sunk to last place in the AL Central. Since the Royals have several of their best young players already in the majors and more on the way at Triple-A, it remains to be seen exactly how extensive their sell-off could be, beyond obvious pending free agents like Benintendi, Zack Greinke, or Carlos Santana. Such names as Michael A. Taylor or even longtime staple Whit Merrifield could potentially be available, depending on how much of a remodel Moore feels is necessary.
Of course, this wasn’t the plan for Moore and company, as the Royals thought they were on the verge of a breakout heading into the 2021 season. That offseason saw the club pick up veterans like Santana, Taylor, Mike Minor, and (in a three-team trade with the Red Sox and Mets) Benintendi to augment their younger core, but the results simply haven’t been there for the team.
Benintendi hasn’t been part of the problem, as he has hit .285/.339/.426 with 20 home runs over 825 plate appearances in a Royals uniform. With a 110 OPS+/111 wRC+ in that stretch, it represented a solid bounce-back for Benintendi after a subpar 2019 season in Boston and then essentially a lost 2020 season that was limited to 14 games by a rib injury. In addition to the above-average offense, Benintendi (who turns 28 on July 6) has also been a big contributor in the field, winning a Gold Glove for his left field work in 2021.
Last year’s work earned Benintendi an $8.5MM salary in his final year of arbitration eligibility, with the outfielder defeating the Royals in a hearing last month. Benintendi has roughly $4.4MM still owed in salary, so moving him earlier rather than later would allow the Royals to save a few dollars. As a rental player, Benintendi wouldn’t net Kansas City a huge prospect return, but he’d certainly bring back a quality minor leaguer or two. Any number of clubs in need of left field help and/or left-handed hitting could potentially fit as trade partners for Benintendi — speculatively, the Rays, Yankees, Guardians, Braves, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mets, Marlins, or Rangers all make some sense as suitors.
Can he play CF? Phillies should be calling. Too bad their trade chips are limited.
Not his primary position but certainly a lot better than anything Philly has.
Although he came up a CFer, Sox fans who saw him play there weren’t impressed.
I was annoyed when the Sox got rid of Benni,
He was decent in CF I think. In fairness to him, his D was being compared to JBJ’s
He’d be a good pick up for any team
He was never compared to JBJ in the field (nor was JBJ compared to him at the plate). Benni took lousy routes in limited CF duty and also doesn’t have the arm to play outside of LF in most parks. I thought the team waited one year too long to trade him but am happy he’s found his bat again. His main issue was trying to do too much with the stick.
I agree. He is a decent corner OF and he is ok as an emergency center fielder who helps out there a couple games a year but shouldn’t be a full time CF guy.
The Red Sox got Winckowski in the Beni trade who is now a starter in Boston 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA, and he is controllable for another 5 years!
Beni will be a free agent at the end of the season and cost KC $15,000,000. The trade looks like both teams got what they wanted.
How exactly did KC get what they wanted in the trade?
They wanted the per 2019 Red Sox version of Benintendi. If they did not, they would not have traded for him.
The Red Sox got Winckowski, a controllable starting pitcher, Cordero a .670 OPS left handed outfielder, plus 3 pre-Rule 5 prospects.
The Mets got Lee, who imo will never be anything other than a AAA outfielder.
The real question is why KC wanted to trade for Beni before last season? It is not like he was the last piece for a World Series run, and he only had two years of controllability before free agency. It also cost KC about $15,000,000. The Red Sox head of Baseball Ops, Bloom, has been on a quest for cost controllable starting pitching: Pivetta, Seabold, Winckowski, and the original version of the Betts trade before it was changed.
KC always seems to think they are closer to contention than they are. I could see them doing what the Rockies did last July and just not trading Benintendi if they don’t get exactly what they want even if it means letting him reach free agency a Royal.
Not a smart thing for them to do by the way.
I realize that the best case scenario, would be for the Royals to get a reasonable deal for Andrew Benintendi. I’m not talking about a one-sided, unrealistic deal. I’m talking about a deal with reasonable risk for both parties. I also realize that the Royals are a small market team that has made mistakes in the past with high-priced free agents. How many MLB teams have made it to the World Series more than two times in the last ten years?
Thank you for your honesty. Finally an honest assessment on Beni. Like deweybelongsinthehall said, he is ONLY a LF. He doesn’t have the range to cover CF and for sure he doesn’t have the arm to play RF, so he is ONLY a LF.
I kept saying the same thing over and over while watching him play for the Sox. I couldn’t understand why people kept arguing he could play CF, but that is what broadcasting does, they root for their players and fans overvalue them.
The OP is exaggerating the amount of contending teams looking for a LF in their playoffs run. Dodgers don’t need another OF, the Rays don’t need a LF, they have Arozarena there along with other OF. Maybe they would move Arozarena to the RF and add Beni to the LF now that Margot got injured, but that is not how they operate, so doubt it. On top of that, they are not the type that absolves money, so they are out. Guardians, have a LF w/o much arm already and they are the cheapest team in MLB, so they are out. Blue Jays have an army of OF, they don’t need another one; they need RP. Mets are in the same boat as the Jays. Rangers need pitching and prospects to build not an LF they will lose at the end of the season. Marlins is possible, but they would need to get closer in the NLE and with Atlanta and the Mets I doubt it.
That leaves, the Yankees, who would be the perfect fit for Beni. He may even get a power boost w/ the porch. No idea why there are not more rumors about it. Padres are another team that need a LF and was left out for some reason. Same with San Francisco. Those are the top 3 contending team that actually need a LF, the rest are just noise. KC loves to trade w/ Padres, so I could see that happening. Beni doesn’t have a choice where he goes, but if I was him, I would prefer to go to NY to boost the power numbers and increase his OPS, as well as to get more exposure for a big contract before FA. However, knowing the way KC operates he ends up w/ the Padres for 2 prospects that we have never heard before…
Always seems to be thinking they are closer than they are??? This would be the first time since back back WS appearances that they “thought they were on the verge of contending for a playoff spot” . Please elaborate on the always .
He would never survive NY, he doesn’t have the personality for it.
He plays left field and he won A gold glove in left field
No. He is decent in left field. Somehow won Gold Glove last year.
“Somehow won Gold Glove last year”. Are you as ignorant as you appear to be? What left fielder do you think was better than Benintendi?
Ron Gant.
Last year, as in 2021 season. I’ll ask you the same question. Are you as ignorant as you appear to be?
So because Ron Gant is a black man he’s not as good of an outfielder?
You’ve answered my question, you are as ignorant as you appear to be, but you’re not nearly as funny as you appear to think you are.
It is you who say that I am.
Actually, it’s you displaying your ignorance for all to see. If I see a pile of crap on the sidewalk, I just observed it, I didn’t cause it to stink.
You are being toyed with and you are devouring the bait. Calling someone ignorant for their legitimate opinion on a player probably wasn’t the best first move.
I asked a moron why they said Benintendi “somehow won a Gold Glove” in 2021. Are the majority of commenters on this forum 13 year old kids taking a break from their video games? Do you really think that was their “legitimate opinion” on Benintendi’s performance in the 2021 season?
no need to be so harsh.
You’re probably correct. I should just ignore stupid people saying stupid s**t and only read the comments of people that have a serious take on the subject at hand.
Ina word, yes.
You are really getting way too angry and judgmental about someone else’s opinion on Benintendi. And you are being obnoxious so whatever viewpoint you may have is being lost. You need to learn how to converse on the internet. Or don’t and just keep being made a fool of. (And to whomever is upvoting these posts, are you kidding?)
As I replied to another person here, I probably should ignore stupid people saying stupid s**t, and only read the serious comments about the subject at hand. Again, I’m asking you, do you actually think the first moron I replied to was giving their “honest opinion”? That person didn’t even try to respond to my question, so it looks like they were a hit and run troll that went back to their video games.
I’m sorry but you are just giving off way too much hostility and anger for a conversation about baseball. But, yes, I figured it was an honest opinion. Sometimes opinions are expressed casually and not entirely academically. These are conversations, not board meetings. I’m not trying to make an enemy of you, I just suggest that if you lighten up a bit, you would be taken more seriously.
Ghost: Honestly, no, he jokes in replies, a lot. He wasn’t being serious, imo. But, many people on here do misread comments – it happens all the time. I have done it too, so I try to be a bit more careful when I read the comments or responses to make sure I address them appropriately, but many times it’s an honest misread.
Nottingham jokes around a lot in here in his replies, but he doesn’t usually retort with insulting or profane comments as some do, which is cool. I guess you get to know the commenters after awhile and that helps to discern the response. But, I get what you’re saying.
As for LF, Benny probably won it because he was one of the better defenders in ‘21, obviously. I didn’t see him play often, so I would have to refer to defensive metrics to answer which player was better, and I loathe defensive metrics (when I’m not obsessing over them – lol).
You, using the word “obnoxious” makes you sound like you’re not old enough to drive. Again, do you think the first moron was giving an “honest opinion” about whether Benintendi’s 2021 Gold Glove Award was deserved, or was that person just being a smart a** little s**t?
In case you’ve forgotten, or you don’t know how it works, Google “Who votes for the Gold Glove Awards”. I’m sure the Major League Managers and Coaches know how to evaluate the performance of Major League Players better than you or me, and you trying to examine all of the statistics to see if you agree with their voting might be a big task.
Ron Gant is one hell of a morning news anchor man now.
I should thank you for your advice, because I did just sign on to this forum and I don’t know who’s a regular commenter that likes to harmlessly joke around, and who’s being a moron. I’ve looked at articles from this website for quite awhile, but I don’t think I’ve ever bothered reading the comments. I’ll try to mellow out, but most of my comments were made while watching the Royals have their worst defensive game of the season.
I can’t even bother to read all of that ranting. Whatever, I tried. You be you.
Hey Clipper. You’re very diplomatic. You’re always respectful around here. I just want to be clear that whether or not the original poster was serious, the response was beyond the pale, uncalled for. And Ghost’s subsequent posts make them sound totally unhinged. It’s just baffling to me that someone would get so psychotic over an opinion about a gold glove. I guess I should have left it alone, oh well. I didn’t mean to rile up the crazy.
Are you saying that everything is always civil here on this forum? Have you ever been involved in a face to face argument between sports fans? You might be too delicate to witness such mayhem. Give me a break with your sanctimonious opinions, even though I know you’re being serious, not just a little mischief maker.
Ryan Klesko
Seek help, Ghost, that’s all I can say because no, this is most certainly NOT normal around here or anywhere else and the fact that you think it is says a lot. Now I know not to engage you because you are incapable of adult conversation. I’ll not mute you but from here on I will ignore. Have fun being an internet psycho.
Nice thoughts….but the Yankees will still choke in the playoffs (2001 Mariners). Couldn’t resist teasing you a little.
I’m not a soccer fan, and I haven’t watched more than a few minutes of soccer at one time in many years. I’ve probably learned more about soccer by watching Ted Lasso, than I ever knew before. You’re very fortunate to live here in the USA (I guess you do), because you’d be ostracized in almost any other country in the world for being such a delicate, easily offended flower in regard to being passionate about sports. I made the terrible. inexcusable mistake of using insulting “words” in response to some little twerp trying to be cute. How much time do you spend on here trying to correct every perceived violation of protocols? Again, I used relatively mild “words”, and I’m not a soccer hooligan bashing heads with broken bottles. You big weenie.
I worked solo as a bouncer for over ten years in the East Village, I can take anything you throw at me. I just thought perhaps civil conversation was a possibility. Now I know that with you, it isn’t. You’re not shaking me up, I just think you are an unhinged nutcase, that’s all.
Do you know what your story means, even if it’s true? You’ll have a full time job here trying to be the Patrick Swayze of “Roadhouse” on this forum, but even though he was an accomplished actor, he’s dead.
Maybe you should read my comment right above your comment where you referred to what I said were “rants”. You’re a hall monitor that’s being laughed at by the kids in the hall.
Ron Gant was a very good left fielder, but he’s 57 years old now, so you’re full of s**t.
Are you the hamstard child of Fred?
Arnold, nice to see you’re still kicking it old school! I loved you on Green Acres, and always thought you were the true star of the show.
Isn’t he retired?I looked him up didn’t he play like 35 years ago?
He’s an OF3 in APBA so he’s pretty good
My age is showing but I guess that’s the equivalent to a 2 defensively in Strat-O-Matic where 1 was the best but bring two wasn’t bad either.
Throw in Mathenaloser and 20% Moore and you can have him. No prospects needed. It would be worth giving up 4 months of him and get rid of the real problems in KC. Ohhh and you can have the New Cheap Skate do nothing owner also.
He can. I think that the Sox made him a LF.Not sure how he would adjust to a market like Philly. Would love to see him in NY, as a Met, but he might be better off in a smaller market.
Padres are definitely going to be callers on every outfielder on the market this summer.
For sale: one slightly used Joey Gallo. Come on SD, make it happen.
For Hosmer straight up or no deal
Bad trade for the Yankees. Friars would love to get rid of that contract. At least the Yankees obligation to Joey G ends in 22.
Hosmer can opt out after 2022
What’s wrong with Eric Hosmer ? He’s playing well on offense and defense.
lol
Can’t believe it but Hosmer is having a pretty good season
You mean he hit well in April. He had a .389/.457/.596 line in the first month of the season. Then since May, he’s hit .237/.296/.330.
Why don’t you tell “Donny Elementary” to behave? That clown made the most obscene comment that’s been made on this thread. I guess you’re selective in your hall monitoring duties.
Please God let the padres find someone to replace grisham
Kansas city should hold onto Andrew. When they turn their ship around they will need a player like that.
He’s a free agent after this season. They aren’t competing this year. There’s almost no chance they don’t move him.
They can trade him then bring him back as a FA in the offseason. Would you rather have Benintendi and prospects or just Benintendi?
I’d rather have both. Benintendi has filled the Alex Gordon sized Hole in my heart since Alex retired. There’s nothing that would stop Benintendi from re-signing with the Royals as a free agent. I don’t think he’s going to be asking for Corey Seager or Gerrit cole type money. He doesn’t strike me as the greedy type.
Duvall and Ozuna for Benin.
Apparently, your comments are abortions. And they should all be illegal in Georgia by postseason.
This comment is the opposite of funny.
His comments will always be welcomed in NY
Kansas City bought Benintendi when he was low, they need to sell him now. This is where his career trajectory was when he was in Boston. He’s 28 which means you might get a little improvement but really there’s not much more upside. Benni would be great for either San Diego or Philly. It needs to be a contender to be fair to Benni (sorry Texas and Miami)
They don’t care about being fair to Benni. If the Pirates offer the best return, that is who they will trade him to.
He will be traded to a contender because only contenders will be interested in trading for him.
Some team will suddenly need a starting outfielder due to injuries and that’s when he’s suddenly dealt.
Actually he turns 28 in July
Tampa should be all over this.
Makes a ton of sense, and they have more than enough prospect capital to make it happen.
Do the Giants make any sense ?
They have outfielders, but all but 2 are left handed, none are hitting 285
They need a close, couple of bullpen arms, another starter, a catcher. Do I need to say more. The infield defense is inconsistent, Belt is not producing and no one else. Belts swing is better suited for golf, etc, etc. What a difference a year makes.
We all know the bums & the Padres are going to upgrade at the deadline. How about the Giants ??
Benintendi is a lefty.
So they need an outfielder, a starter, a catcher, 2 relievers, better infield defense and an improvement over Belt. Other than that, they’re pretty close.
Most SF fans will sing the blues when the FO doesn’t bring Belt back this winter, but honestly, it’s beyond time to move on. You’re right about the other needs – amazing they’re doing as well as they are with all the holes they have.
Padres should be calling, grishams .180 BA is atrocious
Yankees please.
SD wants Gallo,work out a 3 team trade Cashman. Suck out a few prospects from SD and flip some for AB.
No one is trading prospects for Gallo at this point lmfao
There’s the prospect of Gallo being traded, but there’s no prospect being traded for Gallo.
At this point the Yankees would be the ones including prospects in a gallo trade.
Benintendi unfortunately is too high quality of a player for Dayton Moore and the Royals. They only have use for below average players.
what don’t you understand about KC being in last place and Benni an upcoming FA?
what an asinine comment.
They can have Hanser Alberto back then.
Except you’re forgetting the part where they can bring him back in the offseason after trading him.
The brewers need offense, there would be a way to fit him in for sure
I can see a Lamet + Tim Hill for Gallo type trade.. 2 BP arms that need to move ..cause Pomz/Johnson/Castillo/Baez are soon to be ready 60IL or already rehabing.rehabbing.. and Adams a little later on Mid August + Suarez…
I’ve been thinking that there’s no way they can keep Hill once Pomeranz is back. It would be nice if they could get some value for him and Lamet at this point since they’re basically spare parts.
Castillo is probably ready now, he’s just not on the 40 man anymore. I would have called him up instead of Kerr if it was possible to do it without DFAing someone.
Slappy singles hitter no thanks
Jays should be interested!
The Braves will be interested in leftys.
Benintendi for Hicks and Kansas eats half the salary of Hicks
yup, you were dropped STRAIGHT on your head weren’t you?
Benintendi for Judge and the Yankees pay half of whatever contract KC signs Judge to. Final Offer!
I see you made a correction, but here’s what I wrote concerning your original geographical error: I know Kansas City is a lowly, small market team, but the Kansas City Royals play in Missouri. Missouri became a State over 39 years before Kansas did, and Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, and the State of Kansas take their names from the Kanza Tribe that was here long before the first White Man stepped foot on North America.
Ghost – quite…otherwise the crazy liberals will make Kansas City change its name thinking it’s racist…. The new name will end up being ….. Guardian City, Missouri….. omg.. nooooooo
I guess you meant “quiet”. It took me a few seconds to figure out what you meant. I have some conservative views, and some liberal views on many different issues. I don’t think it’ll be useful to get into a political discussion here, but I agree with you that some people try to be offended by words and names, that the people directly affected by them, aren’t offended by. Do you know who H.Roe Bartle was? Google his name, if you don’t know. He is why the Chiefs are called the Chiefs.
This isn’t the Jayhawks this is the Royals they play in Missouri not Kansas
Benintendi to the Rays!
I’m not a soccer fan, and I haven’t watched more than a few minutes of soccer at one time in many years. I’ve probably learned more about soccer by watching Ted Lasso, than I ever knew before. You’re very fortunate to live here in the USA (I guess you do), because you’d be ostracized in almost any other country in the world for being such a delicate, easily offended flower in regard to being passionate about sports. I made the terrible. inexcusable mistake of using insulting “words” in response to some little twerp trying to be cute. How much time do you spend on here trying to correct every perceived violation of protocols? Again, I used relatively mild “words”, and I’m not a soccer hooligan bashing heads with broken bottles. You big weenie.
The Brewers need offense but I’m not so sure Andrew Benintendi alone is the answer. The acquisition of Willy Adams’s immediately fixed their IF last year. Milwaukee’s OF plays large so they need high range defenders.
Why don’t you tell “DonnyElementary” to behave? That clown made the most obscene comment that’s been made on this thread. I guess you’re selective in your hall monitoring duties.
Look for Andrew Friedman to throw his hat in the mix
The Yankees make the most sense for Benintendi if and only if the Yankees can get SD to take the bait on Gallo by offering a lifetime of original Italian HOme Made Spahgehtti & Meatballs for him. In reality for the Yankees to go after Benintendi before Tampa , Houston or Toronto shores up the Yankees can offer a Miguel Andujar plus mid level minor leaguer. The asking price can’t be that high on a pending Free Agent now if the Royals look to move him sooner which gives that club an extra month of him then they can possibly get back three mid level players that the club will lose to the rule 5 draft eventually.