Yankees rotation may not be complete yet
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New York Yankees trade for All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi

The Yankees made a huge trade yesterday to lengthen the lineup by acquiring All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals for three minor league pitchers in Beck Way, Chandler Champlain and T.J. Sikkema. After getting swept by the New York Mets in the Subway Series, General Manager Brian Cashman was working the phones trying to finalize the trade. It's a great pickup for the Yankees giving manager Aaron Boone more options for the outfield going forward with Giancarlo Stanton still on the IL. Benintendi will fit right in this lineup and make a big impact.

With the trade deadline coming up August 2nd, the Yankees are looking to add early so they can focus on rest of season. They needed another lefty at bat with a high contact rate and Benintendi does all that. He will bring defense, speed, power and less strikeouts. Aaron Boone said today Benintendi reminds him of DJ LeMahieu when it comes to hitting. This will be a huge boost for the lineup after struggling the last couple of games.

Benintendi, who is an All-Star this year, has fantastic numbers in 2022 a .320 batting average, three home runs, 52 strikeouts, 39 walks, 39 RBIs, 111 hits and 40 runs so far. Boone can put him anywhere in the lineup, allowing other players to have days off and bringing championship experience from his Boston days. He owns a .320/.387/.398 line on the year, walking at a strong 10.1% clip and only punching out in 13.5% of his trips to the plate.

Benintendi leads the league in singles with 91 and has 14 doubles so far this season but has made 82.6% contact on swings this season. Even though his power numbers are down this year, look for him to increase his home runs with the short porch in left at Yankee Stadium. He has great numbers overall at the stadium against Yankees pitching, so that will be a big boost for this team now he is on their side. The outfield got much better after this trade with defense and saving runs.

Aaron Judge is excited to have Benintendi on board, saying that he will add a lot to this team by having another All-Star and making each other better. Benintendi said he is pumped to be here, as he already calls Yankees Stadium home and is looking forward to joining the lineup. Boone has him batting leadoff tonight in his debut against his former team the Kansas City Royals.

Benintendi said he found out about the trade after he traveled to New York with the Royals. Kansas City manager Mike Matheny informed him about the trade last night and he switched clubhouses. Benintendi said he is now open to getting vaccinated but focused on playing baseball and helping the Yankees win games. He said when the time comes, they will discuss about potentially getting the vaccine.

The Yankees face Benintendi's old team for a four-game series at home starting tonight. This series is important for them to bounce back in a big way and get momentum again.