Mets, Royals, Red Sox Complete Three-Team Deal: Andrew Benintendi to the Royals
Photo Via: Winslow Townson - AP
Nearly one month ago, MLB Insider Mark Feinsand tweeted that he would be “shocked” if Andrew Benintendi was still on the Red Sox by the following Monday. Yet, the 26-year-old outfielder remained on the roster as one of a handful of pieces from the 2018 Red Sox World Series team. Now, Benintendi is heading from Boston to Kansas City as part of a three-team deal with the Mets, which was first reported by MLB Insider Jon Morosi. Here is the full trade (as reported by many):
KC Gets: OF Andrew Benintendi (from BOS), Cash considerations (from BOS)
BOS Gets: OF Franchy Cordero (from KC), RHP Josh Winchowski (from NYM), 2 Players to be named later (from KC), Player to be named later (from NYM)
NYM Gets: OF Khalil Lee (from KC)
He was the Red Sox top prospect when he debuted in the majors in 2016, and he joined Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts to round out the outfield. Fast forward to 2020, and ‘Benny Biceps’ is fresh off of an injury-ridden season, during an especially shortened schedule. He mustered up only 1 extra-base-hit this past season, and 4 hits total, but did only register 39 at bats. Taking his complete major league career into account, Benintendi proves to be a slightly above average hitter (107 career OPS+) and slightly below average fielder (0.2 career defensive bWAR).
Benintendi becomes eligible for free agency after the 2022 season. This year he will earn $6.6 million, but he is arbitration-eligible next season as well, and will likely see a raise, even if slight. The Red Sox traded for left-handed batter and fellow outfielder Alex Verdugo last offseason, then signed slugging outfielder Hunter Renfroe this offseason. Bradley Jr. remains a free agent, but could return to Boston and crowd the outfield situation. If Boston decides to let Bradley Jr. walk, then it could shift Verdugo to centerfield and Michael Chavis to left field, where he made 12 appearances in 2020. Benintendi’s defensive numbers take a sharp drop when he moves to the centerfield spot (-12 career BIS defensive runs saved above average), so Boston likely did not consider moving him to center.
The Red Sox did receive outfielder Franchy Cordero from Kansas City as part of the trade. Cordero has 46 appearances in centerfield out of his 82 career games. He is known for hitting the ball extremely hard, with multiple 440 feet-plus homers (out of only 12 career major league jacks). His average exit velocity of 92.5 mph ranks above the league average of 88.3 during his four seasons. The 26 year old typically ranks in the top 15% in sprint speed (did so in 3 of 4 seasons), but slipped to the top 32% in the shortened 2020 season. It is very possible that he becomes Boston’s starting centerfielder.
Boston also received pitcher Josh Winchowski, who was just dealt to New York less than two weeks ago from Toronto in the Steven Matz trade. Winchowski was the Mets’ 26th ranked prospect and has yet to reach Double-A, so he is likely a stash and development piece for Boston.
It might not take Khalil Lee long to get from Kansas City to New York. Lee swiped 53 bags in 2019 for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Double-A. Lee possesses more than just speed, even if it is the focal point of his game. In 399 career minor league games, Lee has a .366 on-base percentage (OBP) and a .775 on-base plus slugging (OPS). At 22 years old, the Mets have time to develop Lee into a solid major leaguer. The Mets have designated catcher Ali Sanchez for assignment in order to make room for Lee on the 40-man roster, according to SNY’s Joe DeMayo.
The Royals and Andrew Benintendi seem like an interesting combination since he only comes with two seasons of team control. The Royals are not necessarily ready to compete for a Postseason spot, but its lineup certainly improves with this trade.