The Kansas City Royals traded Andrew Benintendi to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night in exchange for prospects Chandler Champlain, T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way.
Benintendi, who is due to become a free agent after the 2023 season, was among multiple Royals players considered available at the trade deadline. So too is Whit Merrifield, whom the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly have some interest in.
L.A. has additionally been linked to Miami Marlins All-Star Garrett Cooper, and Cincinnati Reds teammates Luis Castillo and Brandon Drury.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers also had some interest in Benintendi before he was traded to the Yankees:
Benintendi’s vaccination status was never discussed, sources tell me and @Jaysonst. Yankees either not worried about one remaining series they have in Toronto, or received some indication Benintendi might get vaccine. TOR also was in mix for Benintendi, as were MIL and LAD.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2022
Benintendi hit .320/.387/.398 with 14 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 39 RBI in 93 games with the Royals this season.
He earned a first career All-Star Game selection but recently made headlines due to missing the Royals’ road series against the Toronto Blue Jays because of being unvaccinated. Merrifield was part of that group as well.
The Dodgers were among the teams to quickly reach the 85% vaccination threshold last season, and they didn’t encounter any trouble with postseason requirements set forth by MLB.
The Yankees’ trade for Benintendi has not eliminated them from the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but other teams are viewed as being more likely destinations for the Washington Nationals superstar.
Why were Dodgers interested in Andrew Benintendi trade?
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has a reputation of exploring all potential trades, which is where Benintendi seemingly fits.
The Dodgers don’t necessarily have a glaring need for an outfielder — particularly another left-handed batter — but adding Benintendi would have provided more flexibility with Chris Taylor.
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