The Yankees are fighting hard to keep Aaron Judge. But their outfield for next season could lose another big name unless they fend off competition from the Astros to sign Andrew Benintendi.
MLB insider Jon Heyman claims that the Astros have their eyes on the outfielder. Houston made a big move on Monday when they signed first-baseman Jose Abreu to a three-year deal worth around $60 million. Andrew Benintendi is a free agent who is courted by many and whose market is growing, as several teams want to try to sign him.
Analysts and Houston fans too think that Andrew Benintendi would be a good fit for the Astros, who just swept the Yankees out of the playoffs and won the World Series. The Yankees believe that if Benintendi and DJ LeMahieu had been healthy, they could have at least given Houston a fight in the ALCS.
Andrew Benintendi, who is 28, played well after being traded to The Bronx from Kansas City in July. But he stayed out for the season with a fractured hamate bone. The injury perturbed the Yankees because he had the same injury before and it’s usually fixed with surgery that removes a part of the bone. This made it almost impossible for him to come back for the rest of the season.
Though Andrew Benintendi recovered quickly, he fell after a swing on September 2 and couldn’t come back. He said he might have been able to play if the Yankees had made it to the World Series.
The Yankees want to get back together with Benintendi. Their present situation is quite similar to when they brought him in for three minor-league pitchers at the trade deadline. The New York lineup still swings too much to the right, and Benintendi, who swings to the left, would be another contact hitter in a lineup with too many strikeouts. The Yankees don’t have anyone on the team who can play left field. Aaron Hicks was put on the bench when Harrison Bader got healthy, and Oswaldo Cabrera isn’t really an outfielder.
As with most of their offseason, the Yankees want to know how much Aaron Judge will cost if he comes back before making any more expensive moves. However, they have already booked first-baseman Anthony Rizzo.
The Astros were also interested in Rizzo before he signed a two-year, $40 million deal. They then signed Abreu, who will turn 36 next month and was one of the best free agents left. Last year, Michael Brantley played left field for Houston until he hurt his right shoulder and had to have surgery. Andrew Benintendi could replace him in Houston.
Another left-handed batter, Brantley, is 35 and a free agent. He would also cost a lot less than Benintendi, who is likely to seek a long-term contract.
Before he got hurt, Brantley was having a strong season. If Andrew Benintendi goes to another team, the Yankees could also look to Brantley, who is out of a deal worth $32 million over two years.
Cody Bellinger and Joey Gallo, who used to play for the Yankees, are also available and looking to get back on track. And Brandon Nimmo is also there.
What do you think about Andrew Benintendi’s destination in 2023? Leave your comment below.
