Andrew Benintendi
Position: Outfielder
Bats/Throws: L/L
Age: 28 (06/07/1994)
2022 Traditional Stats: 126 G, 521 PA, .304/.373/.399, 5 HR, 51 RBI, 140 H
2022 Advanced Stats: 120 OPS+, 2.8 fWAR, 10.0 BB%, 14.8 K%, 38.5 HardH%, .352 BABIP, .095 ISO
Rundown
Andrew Benintendi completely revamped his approach at the plate in 2022. The outfielder largely abandoned hitting for power, finishing the season with a career-low five home runs, and instead became an on-base machine. Benintendi set career highs in 2022 in OBP, (.373) and batting average (.304), and a career-low in K% (14.8). He also posted his highest OPS+ and fWAR since 2018 and was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career.
Prior to his excellent 2022 season, it had been a disappointing stretch for the former top-1o draft pick. Benintendi began his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2016, just one year after being drafted. After being called up, the prized prospect played well and found himself starting games in the MLB postseason in his rookie year. Benintendi continued his momentum in the 2017 season, finishing second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Aaron Judge. He also put together a solid 2018 campaign for Boston that saw him hit .290 with an OPS+ of 123, becoming an integral part of the eventual World Series champion’s lineup.
However, things began to turn for Benintendi in 2019, when he slashed just .266/.343/.431. Benintendi signed a two-year contract with the Red Sox after the 2019 season, but after an injury-plagued 2020 that saw him play in only 14 games and go 4-for-39, Benintendi was dealt to the Kansas City Royals ahead of the 2021 season.
After bouncing back with respectable-enough numbers in his first season in Kansas City, Benintendi’s outstanding first half of the 2022 season led to him being a hot commodity on the trade market for the rebuilding Royals, who eventually dealt him to the New York Yankees last July. Unfortunately for Benintendi and the Yankees, he was mostly unable to duplicate his stellar first half in the Bronx. Benintendi slashed .254/.331/.404 in 33 games with New York after posting a .320/.387/.398 slash line in 93 games with Kansas City. After suffering a hand injury in early September, Benintendi missed the rest of the season and did not appear on the Yankees’ ALDS or ALCS postseason rosters.
Contract
Benintendi’s winding career path has led to him entering free agency for the first time in an advantageous position. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid season overall, and you could argue that other than Judge and Brandon Nimmo, Benintendi is the best free agent outfielder available.
Spotrac.com projects Benintendi’s market value to be six years, $104.3 million, which would average out to be around $17.3 million per season. That seems a little high considering Benintendi’s injury history and overall inconsistency, but the lack of reliable options available could lead to Benintendi cashing in.
If Benintendi can land a contract north of $17 million in 2023, it would put him in solidly in the top-15 highest paid outfielders in the game next year, and would be more than Ronald Acuna Jr. and Byron Buxton are set to make in 2023 according to Spotrac.
Recommendation
Benintendi presents an intriguing option for the Mets should they not re-sign Brandon Nimmo. The 2022 version of Benintendi would have fit perfectly in the Mets’ lineup with his ability to get on base at a high clip and hit for average. Adding Benintendi in 2023 would give the Mets another above-average bat they could plug in the top half of their lineup. As a left-handed hitter with decent speed, a high on-base clip, and experience in the leadoff spot, Benintendi would present a decent facsimile of Nimmo should he move on to another club.
However, the argument could be made that Benintendi is too similar to hitters like Jeff McNeil and Mark Canha to warrant a big contract. The Mets were hurt offensively last year by their lack of power bats outside of Pete Alonso, and adding a hitter who managed only five long balls last year could be seen as a step in the wrong direction.
Defensively, Benintendi played exclusively in left in 2022. He has 71 career games in center field, but has not played the position at all since 2019. So, signing Benintendi would almost assuredly mean the Mets would need to move Starling Marte over to center on a full-time basis. Benintendi did win a Gold Glove with the Royals in 2021 and he provides above-average outfield defense. However, his defensive metrics dropped last season when compared to 2021, as Benintendi compiled a mark of two DRS in 2022 compared to seven during his award-winning 2021 season.
Overall, it seems unlikely Benintendi will sign with the Mets, although it can’t be ruled out. If the Mets lose Nimmo and decide to add power elsewhere, Benintendi could be a starting corner outfield option if the price is right. Still, Benintendi returning to the Mets’ crosstown rivals, or joining another AL team like the Astros, White Sox, or Mariners feels more realistic.
