Andrew Benintendi was only with the Yankees for a short time, and it sounds like he is glad to be with the White Sox now. The outfielder only played in 33 games for the Yankees. On Wednesday, when he was introduced by his new team, he seemed to take a shot at his old team.
Last month, Benintendi signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. He said:
“It’s fun to be part of something where you’re desired, where you’re wanted. I’m looking forward to getting to know some guys, build relationships and get this thing going. From Day 1 in the offseason, there was communication. There was constant interest throughout the entire process. I was talking about it with Petey Grifol, general manager Rick Hahn, and the rest of the front office. It’s good to be with a team that wanted me from Day 1.”
Benintendi, who is 28 years old, came to the Yankees from the Royals on July 27 in exchange for three pitchers from the minor leagues. Benintendi had just been to his first All-Star game and was one of the best hitters in the league. He had a .320 average and 111 hits in 93 games for Kansas City before he was traded.
Once Benintendi got to New York, though, the former Gold Glove winner, who was also on the Red Sox’s championship team in 2018, hit just .254 in 33 games before a broken right hand ended his season.
Still, Brian Cashman, the general manager of the Yankees, said that he wanted Benintendi to come back. Even though the Yankees liked that he hit left-handed and played left field, the White Sox eventually made them an offer.
“Benny’s a guy who came in here and fit in really well,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters in December after the news broke. “Obviously got hurt and had his season shortened, especially when he was really starting to play well for us.”
Benintendi is getting used to his new home while the Yankees keep looking for a left fielder.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know some guys, build relationships and get this thing going,” he said. “From Day 1 in the offseason, there was communication. There was constant interest throughout the entire process. I was talking about it with Petey [Grifol], [general manager] Rick [Hahn], and the rest of the front office. It’s good to be with a team that wanted me from Day 1.”
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