The Boston Red Sox may consider trading Andrew Benintendi this off-season. Should the Atlanta Braves consider making a move for the young outfielder?
The Boston Red Sox made some news as reports surfaced that they were having trade conversations centered around Andrew Benintendi. We look at how that could play into the hands of the Atlanta Braves.
According to multiple sources the #RedSox have been in serious trade talks with multiple teams re: OF Andrew Benintendi looking for prospect(s) type return with emphasis on P & OF....nothing imminent though
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 9, 2021
Should the Atlanta Braves consider adding Benintendi to the outfield alongside Cristian Pache and Ronald Acuña Jr.?
The Red Sox would probably be selling low on Benintendi as the last two seasons have not been kind to his value. He had a 100 wrc+ in 2019 and a 43 wrc+ in the shortened 2020 season while only playing 14 games.
The hope would be Benintendi could return to his 2018 form where he hit .290/.366/.465 with 16 HRs, 103 Rs, 87 RBIs, 21 SBs, and a 122 wrc+.
Defensively, Benintendi is not the best but could be serviceable in left alongside Pache and Acuña. For his career, he has a positive UZR and DRS while playing out in left field. However, statcast has him with a negative OAA (Outs Above Average) for his career.
Looking deeper into his defensive abilities, Benintendi’s jump, burst, and reaction are graded negatively in the outfield. He does make up for it by taking an above-average route to the ball.
With an elite defensive center fielder like Cristian Pache next to him, Benintendi should be fine defensively.
What Would Atlanta Offer?
If Atlanta were to be interested in acquiring Benintendi, what should they consider offering?
Well, according to most reports, the Red Sox would be looking for pitching and outfield prospects in return for Andrew Benintendi. The Braves would most likely not want to pay too much for Benintendi coming off an injury and a couple of down years.
A package of Freddy Tarnok, Greyson Jenista, and Sean Newcomb for Andrew Benintendi could make some sense. The Red Sox would get decent prospects in Tarnok and Jenista while also taking a flyer on a former top pitching prospect in Sean Newcomb.
Should the Braves consider trading for Benintendi though? Even if he bounces back close to his 2018 form, he does not fill the middle of the order void left by Marcell Ozuna.
Benintendi would be an interesting addition if the NL still has the Designated Hitter in 2021. He could play left field, while someone like Marcell Ozuna or Nelson Cruz played DH and hit in the middle of the order.
A big bat hitting somewhere from 3rd to 5th in the lineup, with Benintendi (hopefully in 2018 form) hitting around 6th or 7th could create one of the deeper lineups in baseball.
Benintendi is an interesting name to keep an eye on, especially if the Red Sox are willing to trade him. If the Braves were to add Benintendi, and another big bat this off-season, they could be on their way to another deep run in 2021.