Yankees are ‘serious contenders’ for top trade target that’s not Juan Soto

The Yankees have been mentioned heavily in Juan Soto trade rumors but they are reportedly one of the favorites to land another All-Star outfielder.

When Juan Soto trade rumors have come into the discussion, it’s been no surprise that the New York Yankees have been a possible destination often mentioned. Always active at the MLB Trade Deadline, it figures that Brian Cashman will try to take a big swing before Aug. 2 to affirm his team’s place as a World Series contender.

Soto might still be an option, but there’s also another top trade target that the Yankees could have their eyes on before the deadline: Royals All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi.

According to MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand, New York is considered a “serious contender” in the trade market for Benintendi, which would conceivably make them one of the favorites to end up making a deal with the Royals.

Yankees trade rumors: New York among favorites to land Andrew Benintendi

For a Royals team floundering at the bottom of the AL Central this season, all signs point to them moving on from Benintendi, who is in the midst of a career year.

The 28-year-old left-handed hitter is slashing .318/.389/400 in the 2022 season, which would be career highs for both batting average and OBP. While he hasn’t hit for exceptional power (just three home runs on the season), he still has 39 RBI and 38 runs scores, which is even more impressive when you consider the anemic Kansas City offense.

When it was revealed that Benintendi was unvaccinated and could not travel to Toronto, many assumed that AL East teams would be out on him because of divisional matchups against the Blue Jays. That, however, does not seem to be a deterrent for New York.

The Yankees tend to get their guys at the trade deadline, but the question now becomes how they handle these situations. Do they push the notion of Soto to the side and go after Benintendi? Do they go after both? Do they have the prospect arsenal for the second option?

As always, New York will be in full focus leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline on Aug. 2, as will Benintendi and his eventual destination, be that the Yankees or elsewhere.