MLB Rumors: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Andrew Benintendi
While that 20-20 potential has sunk all the way to 5-8 (5 HR, 8 SB) in 2022, Benintendi has found a way to maintain a good batting average by avoiding strikeouts, sacrificing power and going to the opposite field. He draws walks and always maintains a high on-base percentage. He's also a decent defender in the outfield.
He's expected to pull in a 3- or 4-year deal in the $10-15M AAV range.
Here are three potential landing spots for Benintendi.
Toronto Blue Jays
Benintendi is a left-handed hitter. Say no more. The Blue Jays have long been looking to balance their lineup with another good-contact lefty, and he'll come at a reasonable-enough price tag that the Jays would be interested.
It's also possible that the Jays could be using one of their starting outfielders (Lourdes Gurriel Jr./ Teoscar Hernandez) as trade bait to land other needs, so Benintendi would slot right in as a replacement.
Boston Red Sox
As the 7th overall pick of the 2015 Draft, the Red Sox were obviously once enamored with Benintendi's talent, and it was well-warranted with his 2017 & 2018 seasons with them. Perhaps they feel they can unlock what made him such a top prospect not too many years ago.
New York Yankees
The Yankees would like to have Benintendi back; they missed him when he was out of the lineup at the end of the season with a broken hamate bone in his hand. He didn't quite tear it up for them in the 33 games he played in the Bronx, hitting .254 with a .734 OPS, but he's still only 28, in his prime, and is a professional left-handed hitter to help balance the lineup, and he seemed to fit in well.
Photo: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
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