The Chicago White Sox have agreed to phrases with free-agent outfielder Andrew Benintendi on a five-year contract price $75 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Benintendi joins beginning pitcher Mike Clevinger because the second notable free agent signed this winter by the White Sox. His contract, in the meantime, turns into the richest signed by a free-agent in franchise historical past, surpassing the $73 million settlement fetched by Yasmani Grandal just a few years again.
Benintendi, 28, is coming off an All-Star season that doubled because the second best of his big-league profession, trailing solely his 2018 efforts. He batted .304/.373/.399 (120 OPS+) in break up obligation between the Kansas Metropolis Royals and the New York Yankees, homering 5 instances and tallying 3.2 Wins Above Substitute, based on the estimates housed at Baseball Reference.
CBS Sports activities ranked Benintendi because the 18th finest free agent out there this winter, writing the next:
Benintendi achieved his finest statistical season in years by buying and selling energy for contact. Which will sound overly simplistic, however typically the reality is like that. He set a brand new profession excessive in each batting common and on-base proportion, and a brand new profession low in slugging proportion. Benintendi’s batted-ball profile did shift towards elevating the ball following a midseason commerce to the Yankees, and, maybe predictably, he recorded simply seven fewer extra-base hits in pinstripes than he had with the Royals regardless of showing in 60 fewer video games. Benintendi’s season ended prematurely when he fractured his hamate bone in September. He isn’t everybody’s can of LaCroix, however he is a high quality most-days nook outfielder, even when he is unlikely to deliver the increase usually.
Benintendi appears prone to slot in left discipline for the White Sox, who’ve Luis Robert stationed in middle. The query turns into what, exactly, the White Sox intend to do with proper discipline. They’ve Gavin Sheets out there for platoon obligation, and so they may sooner or later flip to prospect Oscar Colas.
