Astros: 3 free agent targets to help them repeat as World Series Champions

3) Astros free agent target: Andrew Benintendi

Outfielder Andrew Benintendi is only 28 which makes him a sweet buy for any team seeking a long-term left fielder. The Astros, who got some good years out of Michael Brantley, can naturally transition to Benintendi in left field for them next season.

The Astros do have guys like Chas McCormick as left field options. However, if they can, he could be a more suitable starting center fielder with Benintendi upgrading them in left field.

It was an atypical season for Benintendi this past year. As a member of the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees, he combined to hit .304/.373/.399 with only 5 home runs in 521 plate appearances. Benintendi hit 17 the previous season in only 17 more chances. Never one to hit more than 20 in a single season, he seems to be transitioning into more of a high average and OBP guy than he had been during his days with the Boston Red Sox.

Does Benintendi win the Astros the 2023 World Series? He won’t but he does give them a nice upgrade. Looking at the optics of it, signing away a guy who suited up for the Yankees should help them a little bit, too. New York, if they lose Aaron Judge, could be on the hunt for more than one outfielder. Signing Benintendi away from the Yankees can give the Astros one more win against a team they always seem to beat in October.