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Andrew Benintendi Defeats Royals In Arbitration

By Sean Bavazzano | May 13, 2022 at 8:07pm CDT

Outfielder Andrew Benintendi has won his arbitration hearing against the Royals, according to Lynn Worthy of the Kansas City Star. Benintendi will rake in a 2022 salary of $8.5MM, a good bit greater than the team’s submitted arbitration figure of $7.3MM.

While either arbitration figure represents a life-changing amount of money, Benintendi and his camp had a strong platform campaign that certainly helped tip the scales in their favor. Through 134 contests last season the left-handed hitter posted a trade-validating .276/.324/.442 (105 OPS+) slash line with 17 home runs and Gold Glove-winning defense. Last year’s performance didn’t quite reach the heights many expected of Benintendi based on his early days in Boston, but it reversed a number of worrying trends that were displayed during a dismal 14-game stint in 2020.

With this 2022 salary locked in, Benintendi’s camp can now turn their attention to securing his next big payday at the end of the season, when he’s slated to reach free agency for the first time. Following the initial trade that brought Benintendi to Kansas City, it seemed as if the team might try and secure the rights to their newest acquisition on a team-friendly extension. Instead, the 27-year-old now looks primed to be a trade candidate more than anything owing to the team’s lagging record and his high-contact .314/.368/.381 (123 OPS+) start to the season.

Turning to the Royals’ side of the hearing, Worthy interestingly notes that this is the first time since president of baseball operations Dayton Moore was hired in 2006 that the club has lost in arbitration. Infielder Nicky Lopez, who is in his first arbitration year, is the only remaining Royal awaiting an arbitration hearing.

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Kansas City Royals Andrew Benintendi

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View Comments (54)
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54 Comments

  1. Cosmo2

    3 years ago

    Sounds like something that should be shouted from a castle turret while holding a very long trumpet

    10
    Reply
    • Lloyd Emerson

      3 years ago

      Followed by, “… inconceivable!!”

      4
      Reply
      • cpdpoet

        3 years ago

        …and at some point,….. :

        “never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line…..”

        4
        Reply
        • Yanks4life22

          3 years ago

          A round of applause to all y’all!! Just had me chuckling reading that.

          1
          Reply
  2. mookiessnarl

    3 years ago

    I’d like to see him defeat them in hand-to-hand combat. Then I’d be impressed.

    9
    Reply
    • swinging wood

      3 years ago

      I read this story as if they settled it with a fencing duel.

      1
      Reply
  3. Lefty_Orioles_Fan

    3 years ago

    Were the Royals trying to cut back

    Reply
  4. all in the suit that you wear

    3 years ago

    He is mostly a singles hitter this year with only 4 extra base hits out of 33 total hits going into tonight. Also interesting is that he hasn’t attempted to steal a base yet.

    2
    Reply
    • iwojimausmc

      3 years ago

      The figures are based on last year’s results. It doesn’t matter at all if he misses this entire season, the salary is set based on the previous year.

      1
      Reply
      • all in the suit that you wear

        3 years ago

        Good point. I just found it interesting that he seems to be a different hitter this year. Could be just a small sample size. He did hit a home run last night.

        3
        Reply
  5. DodgerOK

    3 years ago

    If they fought him for 1.5 mil, I don’t think he will listen to a team-friendly extension.

    5
    Reply
    • gbs42

      3 years ago

      Teams and players go to arbitration all the time over much smaller amounts.

      5
      Reply
    • myaccount2

      3 years ago

      That’s a pretty sizeable gap for arbitration. There was a story posted recently about an arbitration hearing over a $250k difference and I’ve heard about battles over $100k.

      2
      Reply
    • iverbure

      3 years ago

      Dodgerok added to the long list of names of people here who doesn’t understand the arb system. Can you name any instances where a player sighted he resigned with his own team in free agency because the team gave him a extra mill or two in arbitration? No didn’t think so.

      Reply
      • When it was a game.

        3 years ago

        Don’t think it’s that but does create some goodwill. If a team trys to squeeze every nickel from you it leave bad taste. At the end though you are right it won’t make a difference where he signs.

        Reply
    • Yanks4life22

      3 years ago

      Don’t they have to argue why he is not worth the money at the table in front of him? It’s hard not to be human and hold a grudge after that. I definitely wouldn’t be able to let it go.

      Reply
      • gbs42

        3 years ago

        I don’t know why a player would attend the hearing. Let the agent deal with it.

        Reply
  6. erauber

    3 years ago

    At what rate were arb players paid to this point this year? Prorated minimum or something?

    Reply
    • DT.J.B.

      3 years ago

      I haven’t seen the answer for that, but it would make sense if the prorated amount was the number the team submitted and then adjust from there.

      2
      Reply
    • Jean Matrac

      3 years ago

      Not prorated. This was to determine his 2022 salary. The only reason the arb hearing was during the season was because of the lockout. Normally this would have happened before the regular season started.

      Reply
    • BaseballWizard

      3 years ago

      They were paid at the team submission. If they win the hearing, they get paid the difference plus interest (which obviously isn’t a ton of money over a relatively short time).

      4
      Reply
  7. case

    3 years ago

    Sounds like a candidate for the Rays. Plays multiple positions, great defense, competent but not all star quality hitting, right up their alley.

    1
    Reply
    • hiflew

      3 years ago

      He makes more than minimum wage, so NOT a candidate for the Rays. He’d be a non-tender for them

      2
      Reply
    • mizzourah87

      3 years ago

      He doesn’t play multiple positions. He’s limited to LF because of his noodle arm.

      4
      Reply
    • solaris602

      3 years ago

      Two things will prevent the Rays from even kicking the tires on Benintendi: 1) His age, 2) He makes/expects too much salary wise.

      Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      3 years ago

      Andrew Benintendi is left field only. you’re probably thinking of Whit Merrifield. The Rays probably don’t have enough prospects for the value of Whit Merrifield in terms of what he can do on the field.

      Reply
  8. ❤️ MuteButton

    3 years ago

    Reliable players of average talent do have value. Good for him

    4
    Reply
  9. Yanks4life22

    3 years ago

    Hey Gallo hold the door for Yankee Nintendo

    1
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      3 years ago

      Bro, you really do not like Gallo, do you?

      Reply
      • Yanks4life22

        3 years ago

        Can’t argue with that lol

        1
        Reply
  10. Dumpster Divin Theo

    3 years ago

    Hey Sean Bavazanno and MLBTR scribes. Defeat is just…not…right. Too understated. How about squashed? Destroyed? Eviscerated? Humiliated?

    2
    Reply
    • gbs42

      3 years ago

      Crushed? Obliterated? Annihilated? Exsanguinated?

      1
      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        3 years ago

        Gbs: Seems like you may have had someone very specific in mind when writing that… lol

        Reply
  11. kingbum

    3 years ago

    Given how this year has gone Boston would trade back for Benni in a heartbeat. If it’s salary the Royals want rid of send them Duran and a lower level prospect for Benni….I’m sick of watching JBJ try to hit plus we need on base guys don’t care if it’s walks or singles…..

    4
    Reply
    • wiltedfapsock

      3 years ago

      Good thing you’re not the Boston GM

      Reply
    • MLB-1971

      3 years ago

      Kingbum you are completely wrong! Bloom trades for low cost, controllable players and Beni is NEITHER!

      Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      3 years ago

      Well right now our potential other Left fielder is on the injury list, so unless you put Kyle Isabel there (I actually like the idea of him taking over in centerfield After Taylor’s contract ends) We need Andrew Benintendi for awhile. In fact I would prefer he sign an extension hopefully they’ll be in discussion with him I think he does like being in Kansas City. He has already done the big club and I very much doubt he would want to play for a team like the rays, that plays indoor baseball all the time unless they are on the road.

      Reply
  12. Yep it is

    3 years ago

    Typical Royals move. They give Royals fans zero hope. They need to clean house starting with Dayton Moore on down. The new owner who “ was going to spend” is another David Glass AKA does his shopping at Wal-Mart.

    1
    Reply
    • GarryHarris

      3 years ago

      Although the Royals likely won he three team trade that brought Andrew Benintendi to the Royals, he has been disappointing overall. He is not a player the Royals can build around.

      He’s the best bet in MLB to be traded by the deadline.

      1
      Reply
    • iverbure

      3 years ago

      Yep it is started watching baseball in 2018 you can tell.

      Reply
  13. Mickey777

    3 years ago

    Benny is the perfect target for the Yankees. At the trade deadline or in free agency. Probably won’t happen though.

    1
    Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      3 years ago

      Don’t the Yankees have a whole bunch of outfielders? And I doubt he would want to shave completely. Any team that makes you shave a beard off is dumb.

      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        3 years ago

        Any team that makes you shave your beard off is in first place. He probably considers that a bit more than he does keeping facial hair, since playing baseball is about winning the game, and not a beard-growing competition.

        Reply
  14. Yankee Clipper

    3 years ago

    Bennintendi DEMOLISHES Royals in epic arb battle….

    Reply
  15. LordD99

    3 years ago

    How about he wins his arbitration hearing?

    3
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      3 years ago

      “Bennintendi mirrors Royals’ competition and beats them to a pulp”… ?

      Reply
  16. jorge78

    3 years ago

    Well, with the new dead ball, he’s a singles hitter now.
    Good luck, shorty!

    Reply
  17. 30 Parks

    3 years ago

    Good for Benny! Imagine, the Sox essentially traded Benny for JBJ & his $17 million giveaway. I remain amazed anyone thinks JBJ is worth a roster spot.

    3
    Reply
    • solaris602

      3 years ago

      Batting a buck eighty-nine in what the FO hoped would be a Renaissance season and triumphant return to BOS. Only question now is when do they pull the chain and eat the rest of that contract? Oh, and Hunter Renfro is in MIL providing us daily reminders of what a foolish trade that was.

      1
      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        3 years ago

        Renfroe will quickly regress to the league average player he is. No big loss there.

        1
        Reply
    • iverbure

      3 years ago

      I remain amazed that people think teams can’t win with one guy in the batting order being terrible offensively. If your team is struggling offensively the first guy you shouldn’t be blaming is JBJ it’s whoever is batting 1,2,3 or 4.

      1
      Reply
      • 30 Parks

        3 years ago

        We’re both amazed. 2-3-4 in Boston are .834, .859, .860 respectively in OPS. From your reply, I’m suspicious you might be Chaim Bloom himself. There’s giving up some offence for defence, then there’s paying a guy $17 million for no offence at all. The Sox re-acquired a player that can’t hit MLB pitching – odd choice. Further, all three of the contributing players referenced above are likely headed out of town sooner than later. Bloom has a mess on his hands.

        Reply
      • kingbum

        3 years ago

        I blame Verdugo, Keke, JBJ, Dalbec, Story, and Vazquez…..The OPS for all these players suck, you can’t win with just 3 hitters. I blame the fact they are striking out way too much and not drawing enough walks. Nobody hits for contact anymore, and what Boston needs is contact hitters who set the plate for Devers, Bogaerts, and Martinez.

        3
        Reply
  18. Old York

    3 years ago

    The Royals should get another point in the L-column.

    Reply

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