The Red Sox traded another member of their 2018 World Series core to the Royals.
Andrew Benintendi, aka ‘Benny’, was beloved in Boston. The former No. 1 prospect never lived up to the hype in front of the Green Monster at Fenway Park, but he played a key role in the Sox 2018 World Series run, and made one of the most memorable catches of that Fall Classic.
Shoutout Andrew Benintendi for the most electric moment of the 2018 World Series run https://t.co/N8Vth8KR1M
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 11, 2021
The return for Benintendi is still in flux, and the trade isn’t official. But the 26-year-old has been told he’s been dealt to Kansas City. While Sox fans have long been ready to move on as the club tries to rebuild its farm system directed by Chaim Bloom, it doesn’t make the actual goodbye any easier.
Red Sox fans paid tribute to Andrew Benintendi on social media
The city of Boston gets ceremoniously attached to its championship-caliber players. Benintendi will always be able to come back to Bleachers and get a free beer if he chooses.
2 years, 3 months, and 2 weeks ago. That’s when the Red Sox last won the World Series. Gone from that team:
— Ashley Green (@agreenphotog) February 11, 2021
Kelley
Porcello
Price
Leon
Swihart
Holt
Kinsler
Nunez
Pearce
Benintendi
Betts
Bradley (presumably)
It would’ve been easier to make a list of players still here.
Andrew Benintendi’s catch in Game 4 of the ALCS is all-time stuff#ThankYouBennyhttps://t.co/dSTSEVl8NR
— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) February 11, 2021
Once more for the road.
— Fitzy Mo Peña (@FitzyMoPena) February 11, 2021
Thank you, Andrew Benintendi! pic.twitter.com/621weU3d7r
Benintendi also made what might be one of the most beautifully photographed Green Monster catches ever pic.twitter.com/cJRDGwLdkt
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) February 11, 2021
I’m as big of a Benny stan as there is, however:
— 2Seam ⚾️ (@2SeamTeam) February 11, 2021
Benny only 2 years of ❕team control❕ left
Coming off 2* bad szns
Farm is weak & Chaim looking to revive it
Two solid prospects in Lee & Cordero with others on the way...hurts but I understand it
Thank you, Andrew Benintendi. https://t.co/enB9nrE3pM
ugh i knew a benintendi trade was coming but it doesn’t make it easier
— aud (@jigsawpuzzless) February 11, 2021
The trade details won’t make things any easier for Boston. Benintendi’s value wasn’t all that high, and while the return package is expected to include multiple prospects, we won’t be able to judge that payout for at least a few more years.
For now, Sox fans will have to take solace in the fact that Xander Bogaerts remains on the roster, and trust that Bloom is doing everything possible to rebuild this team into a better, stronger version of its current form.