Andrew Benintendi was once prized as a top prospect within the Boston Red Sox organization. Benintendi also known as "Benny Bombs", was Boston's seventh overall selection during the 2015 MLB Draft. The Arkansas product was even named the #1 prospect during the 2017 MLB season, by Baseball America and the MLB.
Benintendi broke into the league during the 2016 season, he would get off to a hot start in his 34 game stint. The rookie concluded his short season with a .295 batting average, two home runs and 14 runs-batted-in. The following season Benintendi would take massive strides within his development. Playing in 151 games, the still-rookie hit 20 home runs and batted in 90 runs.
But why did the Red Sox trade Benintendi if he was looking like a future all-star? The answer is simple, Benintendi slumped during the 2020 season. The now veteran outfielder battled injuries and poor play during the shortened season. Benintendi hit for a career low .103, in 14 games. The following offseason the Sox moved him to the Royals.
Why is the Benintendi trade looking like a disaster now? It is simple, the package Boston got in return does not equate to the potentially Benintendi had even after a rough season. Boston essentially gave up on the outfielder and moved on. In return from the Kansas City Royals, Boston received Franchy Cordero, Josh Winckowski and three PTBNL.
Cordero so far with Boston has yet to find a mainstay spot on the MLB roster. Cordero has been optioned up-and-down to the minors throughout this season. The Dominican outfielder is currently 28-years-old and has solid power, but struggles to make contact. Cordero has a .213 batting average with Boston, playing in 128 games for the team.
Winckowski is still a solid prospect within the Red Sox system, although he currently has a 5.53 ERA and a 5-7 record in the MLB. To note, the three PTBNL have yet to amount into anything special and are still looming in the minors.
What makes the trade look even worse, besides the poor return is that Benintendi has excelled playing for the Royals and now New York Yankees. This season starting with the Royals the outfielder made the 2022 All-Star team, after he hit .320 with 39 RBI's. The Royals opted to trade Benny Bombs at the deadline and the outfield has excelled ever since.
From Red Sox to Yankee, the Andrew Benintendi trade was a disaster for the Red Sox organization.