Yankees trade for Andrew Benintendi after series vs Mets shows moves are needed

Shortly after the New York Yankees went 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position in a series loss to the New York Mets, general manager Brian Cashman answered fans’ wishes with a trade.

It might not have been a blockbuster, but the Bombers are reportedly bringing Andrew Benintendi to the Bronx in a trade with the Kansas City Royals.

Yankees insider Jack Curry of the YES Network broke the news and added that he doesn’t believe Cashman is done just yet. On the postgame broadcast, he said the Yankees remain “heavily connected” to Reds ace Luis Castillo. Perhaps it’s all just beginning.

But in the meantime, Benintendi offers another lefty contact bat that would be worlds better than Joey Gallo, who still has yet to do anything of note over the past calendar year. It’s upsetting, but it is what it is. Gallo logged one at-bat (a strikeout) against the Mets over the last two games, further proving that he’s far from an asset for the Yankees at this point.

Benintendi’s acquisition puts Gallo’s future with the team in question, and now it seems as if it’s a matter of when — not if — Gallo is moved.

Yankees trade for Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi on Wednesday night

Over their last 29 games, the Bombers are 14-15, clearly in need of a spark, especially with Giancarlo Stanton out for the next few weeks and Michael King done for the year. Still, though, New York remains 33 games over .500 despite dropping five of seven out of the All-Star break.

As for Benintendi, the Yankees are getting the 28-year-old in the midst of one of the best years of his career. He’s slashing .321/.389/.399 in 92 games and was an All-Star for the first time ever just last week. Though his power has taken a big dive, he’s on track to shatter his best batting average mark. And the Yankees didn’t have to give up much to get him. All it cost was prospect pitchers TJ Sikkema (No. 19 per MLB Pipeline), Beck Way (No. 21) and Chandler Champlain (outside the top 30).

Aside from his offense, Benintendi plays a sterling left field (something Gallo’s largely been unable to do) and has ample experience in the AL East dating back to his Red Sox days (which we hate to mention). “Benny Biceps” — as every Bostonian meathead is screaming right now — has struggled against the Rays and Jays, though, which will be worth keeping an eye on.

He has a new chapter to write, though, because he’s never faced the Red Sox in his career. Maybe time to become a Yankees legend?

Eh, we won’t get ahead of ourselves. Yankees fans will take even a marginal upgrade from Gallo, and this one’s far more considerable than that. Hopefully, this is the beginning of many more moves to come for the Yankees, who, despite still remaining atop the AL, need plenty of help before the buzzer sounds on Aug. 2.

We’ll save the vaccination discussion for tomorrow and enjoy this for a few more hours.

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