Royals trade Andrew Benintendi to Yankees

In one of the first big moves near the trade deadline, the Kansas City Royals make a crucial move.

It was announced on Wednesday night that the Royals have traded Andrew Benintendi to the New York Yankees.

Kansas City will receive Minor Leaguers Beck Way (No. 21 on Yanks’ Top 30), Chandler Champlain and T.J. Sikkema (No. 19) in the trade, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Benintendi is enjoying the best season of his career for a Royals team that is underperforming and out of contention. The lefty is slashing .321/.389/.399 with a 124 OPS+ in 92 games. After Giancarlo Stanton went on the injured list this week with Achilles tendinitis, it was reported by multiple sources that the Yankees were in the market for an outfielder.

Benintendi was a first-time All-Star this season, won a Gold Glove with Kansas City last season and was a Rookie of the Year runner-up with the Boston Red Sox in 2017. Benintendi was also the only Royal to make the All-Star Team in 2022.

Last season, Benintendi hit .276 with 17 homers and 73 RBI, earning a Gold Glove in his first season with the Royals. He was acquired by Kansas City from the Boston Red Sox in February 2021 as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Mets, and has been one of the brightest spots on the team. While Kansas City has struggled pitching-wise, the bats have done a solid enough job this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Leave a Reply