After spending the first five seasons of his professional career with the Boston Red Sox, former Razorback [autotag]Andrew Benintendi[/autotag] will begin a new chapter with Boston’s most heated rival.
Following Kansas City’s 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the rumors of the New York Yankees acquiring Benintendi had become true and that a trade had been made, sending Benintendi to New York in exchange for three minor league prospects.
Benintendi has been a solid run producer so far this season. In 93 games, Benintendi has hit for an average of .320 with 39 RBI. In the field, he is current fielding a perfect 1.000 with 162 put outs.
His bat is expected to help production at the plate for the Yankees in the place of Joey Gallo, who has shown signs of struggles recently. In the field, he will compliment a championship outfield consisting of Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks.
The trade to New York raised eyebrows, due to the Yankees sharing a division with the Toronto Blue Jays. Canada has a strong policy against unvaccinated individuals, which caused an issue with Benintendi. Benintendi was one of nine Royals players that were moved to the restricted list without pay prior to a series at Toronto earlier this month due to not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, that issue has been resolved. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports has reported that Benintendi has elected to receive the vaccine as part of the trade agreement.
Ironically, Benintendi’s first game as a member of the Yankees will be against his former squad, the Kansas City Royals. The four-game series is set to begin at Yankee Stadium on Thursday at 6:05 p.m. CDT.
Thank you, Andrew, for the time you spent with us and for your veteran presence in our clubhouse.
We wish you the best of luck in New York and the rest of your career. pic.twitter.com/ou1Zr8ei5Q
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 28, 2022
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