MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Unlikely to Pursue Andrew Benintendi; Mets Linked

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the unvaccinated status of Andrew Benintendi has taken him out of contention for the Yankees.

Jon Heyman @JonHeyman

Yankees are unlikely to continue pursuit of Andrew Benintendi since he is unvaccinated. NYY has 6 games left in Toronto and could meet Jays in playoffs. Yanks are the one team to send their complete roster to play in Toronto.

The New York Yankees are still interested in the Bronx Bombers.

Jon Heyman @JonHeyman

While the Yankees aren’t likely to keep pursuing Benintendi, sources indicate Benintendi remains at least on the Mets’ radar (they seek a hitter) @J_Tasch https://t.co/UudNb4GGu1

Andy Martino @martinonyc

While Andrew Benintendi’s vaccination status would give Yankees pause, not same effect for Mets. Unlike Yanks they already have unvaccinated players , and they don’t play in Canada. So they see it as different calculus

Because of Canada's rules requiring vaccinations or testing, 10 Royals were not allowed to travel to Toronto for a three-game series against the BlueJays.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

The 10 Kansas City Royals who are not vaccinated and will miss the trip to Toronto are: OF Andrew Benintendi, IF/OF Whit Merrifield, C M.J. Melendez, DH Hunter Dozier, SP Brad Keller, SP Brady Singer, CF Michael A. Taylor, OF Kyle Isbel, RP Dylan Coleman and C Cam Gallagher.

Bob Nightengale @BNightengale

The lost pay for the 10 unvaccinated #Royals, per @AP_Sports:Benintendi: $186,813Merrifield: $153,846Keller: $106,044Dozier: $98,901Taylor: $98,901Gallagher: $19,451Singer: $15,962Isbel: $15,426Coleman: $15,399

Melendez: $15,385

He told reporters that it was a personal decision. I'm leaving it at that.

That decision might make him less attractive to teams in the American League who don't want to give up assets for a player who might not be available for half a playoff series.

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1

I viewed Benintendi and Taylor as players that should interest the Yankees in trades but how could you acquire anyone who at moment would not be able to play in the 3-game series in Toronto in September plus (more vital) if the clubs face each other in the playoffs? https://t.co/KuzTpMLcoq

Andy McCullough @ByMcCullough

This is beside the point, but that would put a damper on Andrew Benintendi's trade value, especially in the American League East.

The Mets would only have to worry about a potential World Series in Toronto if the Blue Jays make it that far.

The outfielder is hitting.317 this season with three homers, 37 runs, and a.................... His batting average and on- base percentage are both career-highs as his power numbers are down from a year ago.

If a team needs an upgrade in the outfield, Benintendi would be a very solid option. He could end up in the National League.