NFL
By: Steve Atkinson
The Red Sox have traded Andrew Benintendi last night to the Kansas City Royals. The deal sent acquiring outfielder Franchy Cordero, pitcher Josh Winckowski and three players to be named later back to the Red Sox. The Mets were also involved in the trade and were sent Khalil Lee from the Royals. The question now is does this move make the Sox contenders in 2021? The answer is probably not a World Series but a potential playoff spot would be good. Chief Baseball Officer Chiam Bloom make have something else up his sleeve after the future of Jackie Bradley Jr. is uncertain.
Since the 2018 Championship, the Sox have lost Mookie Betts, David Price, Andrew Benintendi, and possibly Jackie Bradley Jr. The Boston sports scene is very gray at the moment when it comes to the Red Sox. With baseball season right around the corner, the bright side to this team is Alex Cora is back to manage. The move last night was to improve the team in the short and long term. Bloom spoke to the media after the trade happened saying:
Red Sox Didn’t Want Andrew Benintendi
“With this type of move, a lot of this is about considering opportunities, wherever they may come from, to better address what we need to address long-term and to add depth and talent to the organization,” he said. “In this deal, we were able to do that in multiple ways, obviously getting quite a few minor-league players and also bringing in Franchy Cordero, who can step in at the big-league level. “We felt we were able to address a number of needs and this puts us on good enough footing that it was worth swallowing hard, taking that painful step of trading a player who’s very important to us and very talented,” Bloom said.
Benintendi ignored the trade rumors all offseason. It wasn’t until last night when he got the call from Chaim Bloom about being traded.
“I got a call last night from Chaim Bloom, and he said, ‘There’s a good chance you’re going to get traded tonight, so I’ll let you know.’ I didn’t know the team, then I found out it was the Royals and I’m extremely excited. I’m from the midwest, going to a midwest team. I’m excited, ready to get there, meet people, build those relationships and get going.”
The Red Sox new outfielder Franchy Cordero has played 95 major-league games. He’s played for the Padres and Royals. Josh Winckowski is a 15th round pick from the Blue Jays and was traded to the Mets. He’s 10-8 with a 2.69 ERA. Nobody knows if this trade is going to work. Bloom was brought in to build up the farm system that is depleted. We’ll have to see if Bloom has another trade up his sleeve before spring training starts.
Benintendi Wants To Be Wanted
The Benintendi trade for players that we don’t know will be good is Tampa Bay Rays. That is what they do. He had a down year these last two seasons but it was clear the Sox didn’t want him. They are stripping the team to its core and it may be a long baseball season for them. He spoke to the media today about being traded to the Royals.
