Andrew Benintendi

2022 - 12 - 16

Post cover — Image courtesy of "MLB.com"

White Sox add Benintendi on 5-year, $75M deal (sources) (MLB.com)

CHICAGO -- Andrew Benintendi and the White Sox agreed to a five-year, $75 million deal, Major League sources told MLB.com on Friday.

[Scott Merkin](mailto:[email protected]) has covered the White Sox for MLB.com since 2003. He was an American League All-Star in ’22 and has connections with current White Sox manager Pedro Grifol and Major League field coordinator Mike Tosar, who served as the Royals’ bench coach and special assignment hitting coach, respectively, last season. It’s also a deal that makes the White Sox a better overall team entering 2023. The White Sox simply will be better off with players starting at their natural defensive positions, as mentioned a few times by general manager Rick Hahn during this offseason. [Andrew Benintendi](https://www.mlb.com/player/andrew-benintendi-643217) and the White Sox agreed to a five-year, $75 million deal, Major League sources told MLB.com on Friday. Benintendi has been a White Sox target previously and was taken by Boston seventh overall in the 2015 Draft, which was one pick ahead of Chicago selecting right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer.

White Sox To Sign Andrew Benintendi (MLB Trade Rumors)

The White Sox signed outfielder Andrew Benintendi to a five-year contract. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

The ChiSox have offered more than this in some high-profile free agent pursuits in recent years, most notably offering more than $200MM to [Manny Machado](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) and more than $100MM to [Zack Wheeler](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wheelza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral). [per Roster Resource](https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/white-sox), though that’s still $28MM from the $233MM first tier of penalization. [Yasmani Grandal](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grandya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral), who’d held the record at $73MM. [Eloy Jimenez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jimenel02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) like sliding into a primary DH role now that Benintendi is on board. Removing Vaughn and Jimenez from regular outfield work would’ve improved the outfield defense regardless of the replacements, but plugging Benintendi into the mix provides a substantial upgrade. Benintendi, a client of Excel Sports Management, will be guaranteed $75MM on the contract, [tweets](https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1603861457720025091) Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Benintendi’s 20 home runs in 2017 still stand as his career high, and he hit just five home runs in 521 plate appearances between the Royals and Yankees in 2022 before a fractured hamate in his wrist ended his season. Benintendi also pushes Chicago’s luxury-tax ledger a bit north of $205MM, Over the past four seasons, Benintendi has posted a combined .276/.345/.417 batting line with 35 home runs and 27 steals. He’ll hit at or near the top of the lineup, with Four full seasons have gone by since that time, and Benintendi has instead settled in as a solid regular in left field but not the perennial All-Star he looked to be early in his big league tenure. Benintendi, 28, was the No.

MLB free agency: White Sox sign Andrew Benintendi for five years ... (CBS sports.com)

Benintendi joins starting pitcher Mike Clevinger as the second notable free agent signed this winter by the White Sox. His contract, meanwhile, becomes the ...

[Luis Robert](/mlb/players/2826875/luis-robert/) stationed in center. [CBS Sports ranked Benintendi as the 18th best free agent available this winter, writing the following](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-free-agency-ranking-top-50-players-available-with-aaron-judge-jacob-degrom-carlos-correa-leading-list/): They have [Gavin Sheets](/mlb/players/2837507/gavin-sheets/) available for platoon duty, and they could at some point turn to prospect Oscar Colas. Benintendi joins starting pitcher [Mike Clevinger](/mlb/players/2044484/mike-clevinger/) as the second notable free agent signed this winter by the White Sox. His contract, meanwhile, becomes the richest signed by a free-agent in franchise history, surpassing the $73 million agreement fetched by [Yasmani Grandal](/mlb/players/1765807/yasmani-grandal/) a few years back. Benintendi, 28, is coming off an All-Star season that doubled as the second most productive of his big-league career, trailing only his 2018 efforts.

Andrew Benintendi-White Sox deal proves Yankees were right to ... (Yanks Go Yard)

The Yankees were right to prioritize Carlos Rodón after learning of Andrew Benintendi's contract with the Chicago White Sox.

For now, the Yankees made the right business and roster decision. He hit .254 with a .734 OPS in his short stint with the Yankees before fracturing his wrist. But the Yankees don’t need dream scenarios at every position. Additionally, until the Yankees find a way to rid themselves of Aaron Hicks, they cannot afford to hurl this kind of money at another outfielder. On Friday, the outfielder signed on with the Chicago White Sox as the next domino to fall in free agency. Wasn’t in the cards for the Yanks, who could easily address left field more effectively in various ways.

Yankees lose Andrew Benintendi to White Sox | What it means (nj.com)

What you need to know about the New York Yankees' current left field situation with Andrew Benintendi heading to the Chicago White Sox.

[Scott Boras](https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/12/scott-boras-completed-carlos-rodon-yankees-deal-while-dining-with-al-east-rival.html) about free agent [Michael Conforto](https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/12/market-for-ex-mets-outfielder-michael-conforto-heats-up.html), though the needle hasn’t moved there yet. Longtime Yankees prospect Estevan Florial remains on the 40-man roster but is out of minor-league options. He was a career .255 hitter in seven seasons with the [Mets](https://www.nj.com/mets/), posting a .824 OPS. Some inside the organization felt that though Benintendi was liked by teammates and performed well before a broken hand ended his season in early September, he may have preferred to play elsewhere than in New York City. Aaron Hicks remains on the Yankees’ roster and is owed at least $30 million over the next three years, but it’s highly doubtful the team will enter spring training with Hicks as their starter. [Pirates](https://www.mlb.com/pirates) for star left fielder [Bryan Reynolds](https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/12/more-proof-yankees-pirates-bryan-reynolds-trade-is-unlikely.html), but the Yankees haven’t gotten the impression that Pittsburgh has been seriously considering moving Reynolds despite his request to be traded. [See the best NJ Sports Betting sites](https://www.nj.com/betting/mlb/baseball-betting-sites.html) [Diamondbacks](https://www.mlb.com/dbacks) about a potential trade for one of their young outfielders, including [Daulton Varsho](https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139), [Alek Thomas](https://www.mlb.com/player/alek-thomas-677950) and [Jake McCarthy](https://www.mlb.com/player/jake-mccarthy-664983). [ STUBHUB](https://fave.co/3OHdwWp), [VIVID SEATS](https://fave.co/3nwfJYW), [ TICKETSMARTER](https://fave.co/3AoJ7rO), [ TICKETMASTER](https://fave.co/3An8tWT) The Yankees have spoken with the [Andrew Benintendi](https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/12/yankees-sign-carlos-rodon-whats-next-for-brian-cashman.html) had been the [Yankees](https://nj.com/yankees)’ primary intention for left field this offseason, but the 28-year-old found a better offer elsewhere Friday. [White Sox ](https://www.mlb.com/whitesox)on Friday, according to [ESPN’s Jesse Rogers](https://twitter.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1603860691072557056).

Chicago White Sox' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing ... (Sports Illustrated)

The Chicago White Sox signed outfielder Andrew Benintendi to the largest contract in franchise history Friday, agreeing to terms on a five-year, ...

With Jose Abreu departing from the club as a free agent, Andrew Vaughn is expected to become the White Sox' everyday first baseman, opening up an outfield spot. Pollock is also a free agent, which opens up another corner outfield spot. LF Andrew Benintendi .304/.373/.772 [6 Potential Free Agent Landing Spots for Dansby Swanson](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/who-will-sign-dansby-swanson-6-potential-free-agent-landing-spots) [OPINION: Carlos Correa's $350 Million Contract Will Not Age Well](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/opinion-carlos-correas-350-million-contract-will-not-age-well) [OPINION: Jed Hoyer, Cubs Made Right Decision Passing on Carlos Correa](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/opinion-jed-hoyer-cubs-made-right-decision-passing-on-carlos-correa) [REPORT: New York Mets Want to Sign Shohei Ohtani Next Winter](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/report-new-york-mets-want-to-sign-shohei-ohtani-next-winter) [New York Yankees' 2023 Projected Lineup After Re-Signing Aaron Judge](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/new-york-yankees-2023-projected-lineup-after-re-signing-aaron-judge) [New York Mets' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Re-Signing Brandon Nimmo](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/new-york-mets-2023-projected-starting-lineup-after-re-signing-brandon-nimmo) [San Francisco Giants' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Carlos Correa](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/san-francisco-giants-2023-projected-starting-lineup-after-signing-carlos-correa) [San Diego Padres' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Xander Bogaerts](https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/san-diego-padres-2023-projected-starting-lineup-after-signing-xander-bogaerts) .284/.319/.746 1B Andrew Vaughn .271/.321/.750 [@JackVitaShow,](http://twitter.com/jackvitashow) and subscribe to his podcast, the [Jack Vita Show](http://jackvita.com/), available on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jack-vita-show/id1366064261), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5bfwYRxkua8fl8Cyp5Ju7i?si=bU85dgJdR7KKuC4kdUwoIw&nd=1), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/jackvita), [Amazon](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f29527c0-7534-4401-9891-8d0e7d09363a/jack-vita-show), [iHeartRadio](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-jack-vita-show-74691662/), and wherever podcasts are found. The Chicago White Sox added to their lineup Friday, agreeing to terms on a five-year, $75 million contract with free agent Andrew Benintendi. SS Tim Anderson .301/.339/.734 Here's a look at our projected 2023 starting lineup for the White Sox, as of Dec. C Yasmani Grandal .202/.301/.570 Chicago White Sox' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Andrew Benintendi

White Sox, Andrew Benintendi agree to 5-year, $75 million contract ... (The Athletic)

White Sox are in agreement with free-agent left fielder Andrew Benintendi.

As a left fielder, that limits his upside short of star-level, and makes him fairly subject to the whims of batting average on balls in play. But because of his former top prospect status, Benintendi reached the majors quickly and hit the free agent market at age 28, so the White Sox have to think about physical decline a little less than typical for a new signing. While last season was arguably his best offensive performance just because of how much he got on base, power was supposed to be a significant part of Benintendi’s game as a prospect. Spend enough time on his Statcast page and you can talk yourself into how Benintendi could have had 10 homers in 2022 with cozier surroundings and a few timely gusts of wind. Benintendi has never been an exit velocity darling, and he certainly didn’t change his ways and show a ton more pop in 2022. The correction has turned Benintendi into a consistent high-average hitter with a disciplined approach, while putting the ball in play. Benintendi’s .289/.348/.421 (113 wRC+) production the past two seasons, accompanied by good left field defense, is more fitting of a solid regular than a superstar or former No. The White Sox have been ready and willing to believe in Benintendi for a minute now. That record of health looks pretty sterling compared to what the White Sox have endured the past two seasons. A Gold Glove winner in 2021 and above-average again in left field in 2022 according to Statcast, Benintendi should be plenty comfortable in Guaranteed Rate Field’s rather small outfield. Beyond the thrill of finally getting together with a long-time crush, Benintendi addresses a lot of needs at once. The pre-existing White Sox connections to Benintendi are seemingly limitless.