Phillies rumors: World Series champion outfielder Andrew Benintendi latest trade target

The latest Phillies trade rumor involves Royals Gold Glove outfielder Andrew Benintendi

Another day, another outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies?

After claiming Óscar Mercado off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians earlier this week, the Phillies are rumored to be honing in on another outfielder.

It makes sense that they wouldn’t stop with Mercado; the Phillies’ defense – or lack thereof – has been a thorn in their side all season long. Now, with Bryce Harper on the Injured List and unable to slug his way out of his team’s mistakes, the Phillies cannot afford to be sloppy.

Before Harper fractured his thumb, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Phillies would be buyers at the trade deadline. Their magnificent record in June almost guaranteed it. Now, with Harper on the Injured List for approximately six weeks, it’s less certain, but according to President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, they’re still going to consider buying if the team performs well leading up to the August 2 deadline:

"“[Harper’s injury] just happened. We need to see how we play. I’m still hopeful we’ll play well. We still have a good club.”"

And on Wednesday morning, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that they’ve honed in on Andrew Benintendi of the Kansas City Royals:

"“Andrew Benintendi is one name to watch if #Phillies trade for an outfielder, as I mentioned on @MLBNetwork a short time ago. He’s on an expiring contract, is having an All-Star year with the #Royals and won a World Series title in Boston with current Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski.”"

Adding Benintendi to the roster would allow Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, both subpar defenders, to split time in the designated hitter role. Benintendi has spent the bulk of his career in left (625 games) with a smattering of centerfield (71) as well, but never right field. He’s inconsistent but can be a brilliant defender, and is coming off his first Gold Glove season in 2021.

The Sox drafted Benintendi in 2015, less than two months before hiring Dombrowski to head their front office. Benintendi developed into one of the players who led the Sox to their most winning season in franchise history; in 2018, they won a franchise-record 108 regular-season games, their third consecutive division title, and bulldozed their way to their fourth championship in two decades.

Benintendi struggled when manager Alex Cora moved him to the leadoff spot at the beginning of 2019, hoping that Benintendi would get on base and give former leadoff man Mookie Betts a run to drive in. Instead, it destroyed Benintendi’s confidence, leading to struggles in the outfield and even basic baserunning. By 2020, his numbers were so poor that it was clear only a change of scenery would help him turn his career around. After hitting .103 with only four hits in 52 games in the shortened season, the Sox dealt him to KC.

Perhaps one of the reasons he’s thriving in Kansas City – hitting .303/.368/.391 with a .760 OPS this season – is that the pressure is virtually nonexistent compared to the famously stressful environment of Boston sports. If that’s the case, a trade to Philadelphia, another intense sports city, may not be beneficial.

Acquiring Benintendi, who’s hitting a career-best .303 with 11 doubles and three home runs, would likely require giving up someone with whom the Phillies do not want to part in their finally-growing farm system. This is his final year of arbitration eligibility, though, so it would only be a short-term rental; he’ll be a free agent in the fall.

This trade rumor could also mean that other Phillies outfielders’ jobs are not secure. Stay tuned.