What's Next For Yankees After Andrew Benintendi Trade?

The Yankees are poised to make some more moves before next week's trade deadline, addressing different positions

NEW YORK — The Yankees made baseball’s first big splash ahead of this year’s trade deadline on Wednesday night, acquiring outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Royals in exchange for three pitching prospects. 

Trading for Benintendi gives the Yankees an elite contact hitter, a veteran of the American League East from his time with the Red Sox and a player in the midst of an All-Star season with Kansas City.

Across 93 games this year, Benintendi is slashing .320/.387/.398. The 28-year-old has hit only three homers and his barrel rate is down, but he’ll put the ball in play, rarely striking out while feasting on right-handed pitching (.340/.407/.432 against righties in 2022).

Even after acquiring one of the most coveted rental bats on the market, the Yankees have six more days to continue exploring other deadline deals. New York would benefit from the addition of another starter along with some reinforcements in the bullpen. Last year’s deadline also proves that the Yankees won’t necessarily stop after bringing in one left-handed bat.

That in mind, let’s break down where the Yankees will turn going forward ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

What's Next For New York Yankees After Andrew Benintendi Trade

After acquiring Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals, the New York Yankees can transition to bolstering their pitching staff.

Starting pitcher

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

You can argue that New York’s starting staff is even more of a pressing need than adding a player like Benintendi.

A strength all year, the Yankees’ rotation has faced a wave of adversity of late. Jameson Taillon has a 6.09 ERA in his last nine starts, Luis Severino is on the injured list with a lat strain, Nestor Cortes has cooled down from his stellar first half while entering uncharted territory in his innings total and following recency bias, Jordan Montgomery produced a stinker against the Mets on Tuesday.

Gerrit Cole is still this club’s ace, the starter that will take the ball in Game 1 of a postseason series in October. The pitcher that takes the ball in Game 2 for New York might not be on this roster yet, though.

The Yankees are reportedly eyeing Luis Castillo of the Reds and Oakland’s Frankie Montas. It’ll require a package of talented prospects to reel in any of the ace-caliber hurlers on the open market before Tuesday’s deadline, but the Yankees certainly have the farm system to make a deal.

READ: MLB Insider Believes Yankees 'Need' to Trade For Luis Castillo

Consider the source as well. YES Network's Jack Curry, who first reported the Benintendi deal, said Wednesday night that Castillo would be the next logical move for this club ahead of the deadline. The price tag for Castillo is as high as anyone available, though. 

Reliever

Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of adversity, New York’s bullpen is working through a tough stretch as well.

The Yankees lost Michael King for the season this week after the right-hander sustained a fracture in his right elbow. He joins Miguel Castro on the IL, along with Chad Green who is also out for the year (Tommy John surgery).

Internally, New York will lean on a mix of veterans and former prospects the rest of the way. Ron Marinaccio, Albert Abreu and Clarke Schmidt have shown they have the stuff to help fill the void King leaves behind while Jonathan Loáisiga and Aroldis Chapman will continue to get their chances in high-leverage spots.

Other than closer Clay Holmes, however, who can you really trust with the game on the line?

Don’t be surprised if the Yankees bolster their bullpen before the deadline, targeting experienced relievers that can either eat up innings or shine setting up Holmes down the stretch.

Another bat?

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

One year ago on Friday, the Yankees officially acquired both Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo, sprinkling left-handed sluggers into the heart of their lineup with blockbuster acquisitions just days before the deadline.

Pitching is a priority for this team, but if an opportunity to add another talented bat presents itself, why not pounce and make this lineup even better?

It remains to be seen if the Yankees are now out on Juan Soto, another outfielder—and generational talent—that New York had shown interest in recently. The top prospects required to acquire a player of Soto's caliber—or Castillo for that matter—are still in the organization. The Benintendi trade didn't change anything on that front.

With Giancarlo Stanton currently on the injured list (Achilles tendinitis), perhaps general manager Brian Cashman isn't satisfied until he brings in another piece. This wouldn't necessarily need to be a splashy acquisition either. A depth piece to strengthen the bench and play multiple positions on defense certainly couldn't hurt.

This trade works as a means to lessen Gallo's playing time even more as well, if not eliminate it all together. It already seemed like the struggling outfielder was destined to be either traded or cut leading up to the deadline next month. The acquisition of Benintendi makes that scenario even more likely.

MORE:

• What Aaron Judge Had to Say About the Andrew Benintendi Trade
• Yankees Prospect Jasson Domínguez Tuning Out Trade Rumors
• Yankees Showing Interest in This Veteran Starting Pitcher Ahead of Trade Deadline

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