Red Sox fans pay tribute to Andrew Benintendi after trade

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.

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.

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.