NEW YORK — This time last year, blaring sound effects and glowing screens filled a charter flight from Tampa to Miami, and rumors swirled around the cabin that the Yankees were acquiring Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. The move provided a welcome spark, sparking celebration in the aisles.
Rizzo and his teammates were in a silent visiting clubhouse at Citi Field Wednesday night when they learned of another deal in the works that they hope will similarly boost their postseason chances. Shortly after losing 3-2 to the Mets, the Yankees finalized this week’s trade with the Royals for outfielder Andrew Benintendi.
TRADE DETAILS Yanks get: FROM Andrew BenintendiRoyals get: RHP Chandler Champlain, LHP TJ Sikkema and RHP Beck Way
“He’s a really good player,” outfielder Aaron Judge said. “I had a chance to play against him for quite a few years when he played in Boston. I have seen him do many impressive things. So if that’s true, it’s definitely going to be a big part of what’s going on here.
In the deal, confirmed by both clubs later in the evening, the Yankees sent three prospects to Kansas City in exchange for the 28-year-old Benintendi: right-hander Chandler Champlain, left-hander TJ Sikkema and right-hander Beck Way.
The acquisition of Benintendi helped soften the sting of the loss to the Mets, when Starling Marte’s hit against Wandy Peralta sealed a Subway Series sweep in two games.
“He’s a really good player in the middle of an All-Star season,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He has a track record of success with [2018] Red Sox championship. Obviously he’s been a really good player for them, but right now he’s putting together a really good year for the Royals.”
Smothered by birthday man Max Scherzer for seven innings, Gleyber Torres’ two-run homer off David Peterson powered the Yankees’ offense on Wednesday as New York went 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the two games in Queens.
Boone said he believes the left-handed hitting Benintendi, an American League All-Star this season, can help build on an already formidable order.
“It’s fake news that we have too many power hitters in the lineup, too many hitters,” Boone said. “We have savages in the squad, really good strikers. Benintendi is a great striker, comes in at a really high clip, hits from the left which gives you some balance. … I will be excited to write his name.”
In 93 games this season, Benintendi hit .320/.387/.398 with 14 doubles, two triples, three homers, 39 RBI and four stolen bases. Benintendi’s 34 multi-hit games rank first in the American League, while he is third in batting average, second in strikeouts (111) and sixth in on-base percentage.
“Dog Days of Summer, we’ve been grinding it out for a while, then you add a piece like that,” Judge said. “A guy who hits well over .300 all year, plays great defense and is kind of a spark plug over there in Kansas City. Anytime you bring it into the culture that we have, it’s always a plus and a boost of energy.
Benintendi has been in the headlines recently for reasons other than baseball, as he was among a group of Royals who couldn’t travel to Toronto because he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19. The Yankees have one regular-season series remaining at Toronto (Sept. 26-28); The New York Post reported Wednesday that Benintendi told people close to him that he would get the vaccine.
A 2021 Gold Glover who played seven major league seasons with the Red Sox (2016-20) and Royals (2021-22), Benintendi made 88 starts in left field this season, going scoreless in 164 total.
His arrival could create a lineup of Benintendi in left field, Judge in center field and a combination of Aaron Hicks and Matt Carpenter in right field, at least until Giancarlo Stanton returns from the injured list.
Acquiring Benintendi also likely spells the looming end of Joey Gallo’s time in a Yankees uniform; Gallo is hitting .161 (37-for-230) with 103 strikeouts in 80 games, most recently used as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning Tuesday against Mets closer Edwin Díaz.
Wednesday’s loss was the Yankees’ 12th in 22 games this month, and they now have the majors’ second-best record at 66-33 (the Dodgers are 65-32).
“We’re still one of the best teams in the game, so I wouldn’t really judge our season in a couple of weeks,” Judge said. “But I think I add a guy like [Benintendi] it’s sure to pump us up a bit, that’s for sure. I think he will fit in well.”
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