And cash from the Red Sox

It's also pretty clear they've been buying low on guys who had down years last year in the short season. Even then Benintendi's only 26 so his prime could be ahead of him.

This worked to a T with Kendrys Morales.

Apparently there are more pieces in the deal, just not named yet.

Lee is a nice athlete with probably a Lorenzo Cain lite ceiling down the road. Benintendi is better than that (not LoCain) already and is only 4 years older than Lee.

Didn’t trade any of our stockpile of arms.

LOVE this move!

This article says pitching going back. Shouldn't be too much on a one year with that salary and last year's numbers.
https://www.royalsreview.com/2021/2/...ree-team-trade

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One other name that has been mentioned in trade talks recently involving the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> is SP Jesse Hahn.</p>&mdash; Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/1359688326886920192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Might be another move on the way.

Okay. Hesitating now . . . . .

Waiting to make sure one of our elite prospect arms wasnt packaged to someone in the deal.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Being told Hahn is not in this deal which is near complete. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedSox</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mets</a></p>&mdash; Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/1359690081313955841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I&#39;m hearing the Red Sox will end up with more than two players in the Benintendi deal. Could be as many as five. As others have reported, the deal isn&#39;t completely done yet.</p>&mdash; Chad Jennings (@chadjennings22) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadjennings22/status/1359692187752161282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Okay. Phew.

Only other arm in the deal is a Mets prospect going to the Sox.

Royals keep their full stockpile.

Awesome deal!

So we looking at:
1 - Whit (RF)
2 - Mondesi (SS)
3 - Santana (1B)
4 - Soler (DH)
5 - Salvy (C)
6 - Benintendi (LF)
7 - Dozier (3B)
8 - Taylor (CF)
9 - Lopez (2B)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I remember covering the 2018 ALCS and thinking Andrew Benintendi had Alex Gordon&#39;s stat line with Whit Merrifield&#39;s general playing style and aesthetic, so it seemed preordained he&#39;d play for the Royals at some point.</p>&mdash; Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) <a href="https://twitter.com/rustindodd/status/1359695333568245769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Might actually be an entertaining team to watch.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Really like what KC is doing this winter. Small market team aims to win.</p>&mdash; Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1359697288201969665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Early Trade Grades:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a>: A<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mets</a>: B <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedSox</a>: D <br><br>Betts Bradley Benitendi<br>To<br>Renfroe<br>Cordero<br>Verdugo<br>????</p>&mdash; Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowdenGM/status/1359696854611619841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If I didn’t hate Jim Bowden I’d be thrilled

Why do you hate Jim Bowden?

His Sunday program The Front Office on MLB Network Radio is an Emmy-winning show.

Seems like a great trade. Are the Red Sox just dumping payroll?

new Gordo

This move rocks!

Damn our lineup looks really solid. Just need a couple pitching arms and World Series here we come!

I think it’s more likely:

Merrifield - 2B
Benintendi - LF
Dozier - 3B
Santana - 1B
Soler - DH
Perez - C
Mondesi - SS
Taylor - CF
Olivares - RF

You stack 5 pretty good OBP guys at the top there. Deep 1-7.

Nicky Lopez will get time at 2B, too, with Merrifield going to RF. I’d just like to see them give his legs more of a break by letting him play 2B.

That’s a deep lineup. Add in the young arms and the bullpen and you’ve got the potential for a fun little run the next few years.

I wish DM could get one more starting pitcher

If Franchy can stay healthy he could do some damage in Fenway. He can certainly smash the ball. But Benintendi is exactly the kind of guy you'd expect to see in the Royals OF. He's also another guy who can take walks. He's not going to destroy the ball like Cordero but he could hit a ton of doubles and triples.

If Hanser Alberto can actually make the team we'll have some real lineup flexibility with him and Whit.

@JeffPassan: The three-way trade is done, sources tell ESPN.

Royals get: OF Andrew Benintendi

Mets get: OF Khalil Lee

Red Sox get: OF Franchy Cordero, RHP Josh Winckowski, two PTBNLs from Kansas City, one PTBNL from New York

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Red Sox will send $2.8 million to the Royals to help cover part of Benintendi’s $6.6 million salary. <a href="https://t.co/krHzBwpWP7">https://t.co/krHzBwpWP7</a></p>&mdash; Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) <a href="https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1359712301096517636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why 3 PTBNLs? Bloom says &quot;having time to work through these things is helpful&quot; and that getting a chance to scout certain players will be even more helpful during COVID.<br><br>Adds &quot;it&#39;ll be a little while&quot;, so we won&#39;t know who the PTBNLs are until minor-leaguers get on the field.</p>&mdash; Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1359717085748858880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Red Sox do not know specific identities of the PTBNLs they&#39;ll get. Have frameworks in place (likely a list of a certain number of guys and a deadline) but those names won&#39;t be known anytime soon.</p>&mdash; Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1359717299058601987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Do the Royals get him for 3 more years or just 2?

Dodgers will take it again hands down

2

Sweet! Another OBP guy that can play some D. And didn't have to give pitching. Good to see DM going for it with the arms on the precipice.

I guess Khalil Lee sucked ass if all they could get was Benintendi.

Holy shit!

Football offseason sucks.

That right there tells who lost in the trade.

umm, the Mets?

Alberto should be starting at 2B vs lefties. That would be a deep lineup.

Career wRC+

Benintendi 108
Franchy 97


Bbref projected OPS

Benintendi 772
Franchy 750


Obv AB brings speed and defense which Franchy doesn’t but the hitting gap isn’t near what I expected.

The Mets won the trade obviously.

I’m interested in the 2 PTBNL the Royals gave up too.

Lee
Cordero
2 PTBNL

For

Benintendi - 2 yrs left
$2.8 million

Has anyone looked at Benintendi’s last 2 seasons? He sucks.

.500 season on deck let's go

His 2019 season seems fine enough?

Andrew Benintendi, OF
Age: 26

The Red Sox had one of the top outfields in baseball with Benintendi in left, Jackie Bradley Jr. in center and Mookie Betts in right when they won the 2018 World Series.

Now, Betts is a Dodger, Bradley is a free agent and Benintendi has been shipped to Kansas City.

The championship year was Benintendi’s best season, when he put up 4.1 WAR, as measured by Baseball Reference.

His offense dropped a bit in 2019—his OPS fell from .830 to .774—and he was limited to just 14 games in 2020 because of a strained muscle in his rib cage.

At his best, Benintendi provides a leadoff man’s skills and, despite the decline from 2018 to 2019 to 2020, was showing an ability to more consistently impact the baseball. His average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and barrel percentage each improved year-over-year.

The Royals are betting that Benintendi—Baseball America’s 2015 College Player of the Year and the No. 1 prospect in the game entering the 2017 season—can get back on track with a change of scenery. He is under team control for two more seasons.

***Official 2021 Royals Season Repository Thread***
 

Red Sox have two players coming from the Royals. This trade is too complicated right now to even try and speculate on specific names, though Brad Keller, Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow came to mind from the Royals side of things.

From an emotional fan standpoint, it’s sad to see him go. From a more objective team-building standpoint, given his recent struggles this could make sense depending on the return, but we’ll withhold judgement until we learn who exactly is coming back.

WTF are you talking about? Keller, Staumont, and Barlow aren't going to be in this trade.

Yeah, there’s no way any of those names are in there.

PTBNL is going to be, at best, 10-20 prospect range and more likely 20-30.

I could see some SP excess - a Zack Haake, for example - headed to Boston.

But it won’t be current big leaguers.

I hope so...I know everyone is hyped for this trade but I've been keeping track of Lee for awhile & I hate to see him go for 2 years of a declining Benintendi.

Gregg Jefferies comes to mind when I think of Benintendi.

A declining 26 year old?

Check his stats from 2017 to 2018 to 2019 to 2020.

You think that's an ascending player? You think the Red Sox would have traded him if they didn't think he was declining?

How many at bat’s did he have in 2020? Don’t really think 2020 is an accurate marker.

Fine...I just have doubts. We will see very soon. :hmmm:

https://theathletic.com/2381397/2021...bout-the-move/

Royals acquire Andrew Benintendi: Answering 5 questions about the move
by
Alec Lewis

Keith Law's Farm System Ranks:

https://insidethecrown.substack.com/...drewbenintendi

I’m afraid DM overpaid for “grit” again.


OTOH, he’s brought in 4 vets this winter that are all upgrades from their predecessor. For a 28-32 team that wasn’t all that bad last year......THERE’S A GLEAM!

Ok...I'm trying to convince myself this is a good trade for the Royals.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NgLxPd83_c0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ngZG5uII-S4?start=421" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Who’s playing third base this year?

Hunter Dozier

I'm high on Khalil Lee. I love his athleticism and raw tools. He has had some trouble with swing and miss, and his GB rate was really high. For him, it's all about tapping into his raw power (he's one of those 50-raw guys whose game power plays down).

He is not an insignificant price to pay. If it clicks, you could be looking at a guy who hits .260/.360/.500 in the majors.

But Benintendi, if the 2019 September is a fluke, is absolutely a high upside risk worth taking.

Prior to September 2019, Benintendi is a career .282/.358/.450 hitter. You absolutely hit that guy in the top 1-2 of the lineup.

lifelong Chiefs fan living in new England so also sox fan. Bennie seems like a good buy low candidate for you. on the other hand Bloom has done a pretty good job at extracting prospects ( Tampa alumni) in most of his deals so far. Bennie seemed like a ten year plug and play guy who somehow lost his approach at the plate entirely. change of scene and playing for a new contract may help. the only negative ( besides his last 2 1/2 seasons is that he had a reputation early on as kind of a douche / know it all . when he was going good this was a cockiness that allowed him to step in and flourish quickly. when his numbers tanked people questioned whether he was uncoachable . the talent is there but he needs to turn it around. that could very well happen in KC.

ZiPS war:

2021. AB 1.6 Franchy 1.1
2022. AB 1.6, Franchy 0.9


Worse: That’s projecting 500 PA for AB, 275 for Franchy.

That’s an ugly projection for KC. We better be getting the old AB and not the one of the past two seasons.

2 and a half. he was an all star for the first half of 2018 but pretty much sucked the second half

I smell 70 wins. Woohoo!

He was excellent in 2019 save for September (last month), though. That 2018 second-half slide didn't carry over to 2019.

no need to quibble. career high SO, career low BB, career low WAR in 2019. in any event a guy with talent and good low buy for KCR

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New at The Changeup: A look at the Andrew Benintendi trade and the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a>&#39; efforts to contend: <a href="https://t.co/Cd8pJY6r4W">https://t.co/Cd8pJY6r4W</a></p>&mdash; The Changeup ⚾️ (@The_Changeup) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Changeup/status/1359927050979672071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrew Benintendi Trade Grades<br>Royals: B+<br>Mets: B<br>Red Sox: B-for now, could change after 3 PTBNL are named- NN</p>&mdash; SN Sports (@thesn_sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesn_sports/status/1359924618803507202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Which two players do you believe the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> will send to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Boston?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Boston</a> to complete the Benintendi trade? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedSox</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Benintendi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Benintendi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpringTraining?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpringTraining</a></p>&mdash; Kings of Kauffman (@KingsofKauffman) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingsofKauffman/status/1359922917681856518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> make a close-to-Spring Training splash in February and acquire Andrew Benintendi from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedSox</a> in a 3-team deal with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mets</a>. KC correspondent <a href="https://twitter.com/MKelley_ND?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MKelley_ND</a> takes an in-depth look at the centerpiece of this trade. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WooPig?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WooPig</a> <a href="https://t.co/FiptibI0Lt">https://t.co/FiptibI0Lt</a></p>&mdash; Prospects1500 (@Prospects1500) <a href="https://twitter.com/Prospects1500/status/1359918713236041731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">��️ New <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeadlinePod?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HeadlinePod</a> reacting to Wednesday night&#39;s MLB trade with <a href="https://twitter.com/alec_lewis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alec_lewis</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/jcmccaffrey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jcmccaffrey</a>...<br><br>⚾️ How does Benintendi fit into the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> timeline<br>⚾️ Bloom&#39;s Boston rebuild continues<br>⚾️ How will <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedSox</a> fans remember Benintendi?<br><br>Listen FREE!<a href="https://t.co/iC4fQ6cyYQ">https://t.co/iC4fQ6cyYQ</a></p>&mdash; Tim McMaster (@TimMMcMaster) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimMMcMaster/status/1359915797490126849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The rookies most likely to make each American League team out of spring training

Kansas City Royals

Jackson Kowar is probably the rookie most likely to make the Royals out of spring training, because he’s got the ability to impact their bullpen right out of the chute. Kowar’s fastball-changeup combination is deadly and the fact he can control both pitches makes him major-league ready. His changeup is a legitimate wipeout pitch and one of the best in the game. His fastball is in the mid-90s and there is a 10 mph differential between the two offerings. He also has an average curveball he can mix in.

Daniel Lynch is the Royals rookie starting pitcher closest to the major leagues, but he’ll probably begin the year in Triple A. However, don’t sleep on him making the team if he’s able to put together a dominant spring training. Lynch has a 97 mph fastball to go along with an above-average slider and changeup with the curveball being his fourth pitch. He’s made a lot of progress at the alternate site in terms of improving his mechanics which should lead to improved command — and that will be the key to him making the team out of spring training.

I really hate giving up Khalil Lee. Really ****ing hate it.

His ZiPS projections next 5 years were all below 0.0. FG projects Lee as a platoon type guy. I guess that means something like a Jarrod Dyson?


Scouts might like him more than analytics do.

I'm excited about this season! Lineup looks stacked and pitching shows a lot of promise. Curious to see if they bring up any more of the young guys this year like they did with Singer and Bubic last year.

1. R – Whit Merrifield - 2B
2. L – Andrew Benintendi - LF
3. R – Hunter Dozier - 3B
4. S – Carlos Santana - 1B
5. R – Jorge Soler - DH
6. R – Salvador Perez - C
7. S – Adalberto Mondesi - SS
8. R – Michael A. Taylor - CF
9. R – Edward Olivares – RF

The battle for the bench and rotational players will be interesting.
2020 Rules - 26 man roster now. Only 13 can be pitchers.
L - Nicky Lopez - INF
R - Hanser Alberto – INF
R – Cam Gallaghar – C
L – Meibrys Viloria – C
L – Ryan McBroom – 1B/PH/DH
L – Ryan O’Hearn – 1B/PH/DH
L – Nick Heath – OF/PR
R – Kelvin Gutierrez 3B

It seems like Nicky Lopez might win out over Hanser Alberto since Hanser is already on a minor league contract, but Hanser will be really valuable against LH pitching, so I think he will be brought up pretty quickly.

Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria will compete for the backup catcher role. Gallagher is 5 years older so Royals might be OK with him sitting on Royal’s bench while Viloria plays in the minors.

Ryan O’Hearn and Ryan McBroom will fight for a shot at the back up slot but both might be beat out. Ryan McBroom has played some outfield.

Kelvin Gutierrez will have to shine in spring training to be given a chance. He probably starts out in minors and has to wait for a Hunter Dozier injury.

Nick Heath will battle the younger players for the 4th outfield spot in spring training. Nick’s left handed bat, speed at running the bases, and his 27 year old age makes him the likely player to win this spot.

Likely Bench – Nicky Lopez, Cam Gallagher, Ryan McBroom, and Nick Heath. Hanser Alberto will be brought up at first opportunity.

They were interviewing Rex Hudler on 610 radio today. He thinks that Whit will play 2B with some outfield when needed. He thinks Royals will be stealing bases and 2B would be easier on Merrifield's legs.

They won’t bat Mondesi behind the slowest guy in baseball

That is a good point.

I hope Mondesi really takes a big step forward this year.

Who plays RF?

Edward Olivares

He sure looked like it the last month of the season. Probably the biggest key to how this team goes offensively. If he plays like a superstar again this lineup is going to be legit.

Analytics don't like Benintendi's defense.