It's unattainable to consider the Yankees traded for Andrew Benintendi with out an assurance that the 28-year-old left fielder shall be vaccinated in time to play together with his new teammates when the membership crosses the border for a three-game collection in Toronto that commences Sept. 26.
If that has not been established by means of again channels, basic supervisor Brian Cashman can be charged with malfeasance in buying Benintendi from the Royals on Wednesday in alternate for 3 prospects.
Nevertheless one evaluates Cashman’s tenure, the GM has by no means been recognized to be negligent. And buying an on a regular basis participant who may not be eligible to play each day due to a private determination, would symbolize the grossest sort of negligence.
Benintendi, who was in left discipline and had a quiet 0-for-4 night time out of the leadoff spot in Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Kansas Metropolis on the Stadium on Aaron Choose’s ninth-inning stroll off thirty ninth homer of the 12 months, presents himself as agnostic concerning the COVID-19 vaccine.
He delivered rehearsed and meaningless phrase salad when requested in regards to the matter throughout his introductory press convention on the Stadium a few hours earlier than Jameson Taillon threw the primary pitch of the ballgame.
“Proper now I’m nonetheless positioned in the identical spot,” mentioned Benintendi, who was one among 10 Royals ineligible to play in Toronto when the membership crossed the border for a four-game collection two weeks in the past.
“I’m open-minded about it. I’m not towards it. However time will inform as we get nearer [to the Toronto series]. For now I’m centered on getting snug right here and with the fellows.”
With out passing judgement, it appears to me that in the event you’re not towards it, you’d be for it, and in the event you’re for it, you'd have taken the vaccine within the final 16 months or so it has been out there to the overall inhabitants within the U.S.
The three video games in Toronto loom as crucial dates within the race for the primary general seed within the AL that might carry home-field benefit over a hypothetical best-of-seven championship collection towards the Astros, whom the Yanks led by two video games earlier than Thursday’s motion.
There may be additionally the distinct risk that the Yankees may meet the Blue Jays within the second spherical of the AL playoffs, the place a potential two video games of the best-of-five can be contested. It might be untenable to have an unvaccinated participant on the postseason roster who couldn't play in these video games.
It might be untenable for the Yankees, who checked in with one hundred pc compliance forward of this season’s first pair of three-game collection in Toronto the primary week of Might and the center of June.
Benintendi, who arrived with a .320/.387/.398 slash line and the second-most hits within the AL with 111, mentioned that nobody with the Yankees had spoken to him about his vaccine stance both earlier than or after the deal was accomplished. Supervisor Aaron Boone confirmed he had not spoken to his latest participant on that matter. Coincidentally, each used the time period, “Cross that bridge,” about an hour aside. After all, Benintendi gained’t be crossing any bridges into Canada until he's vaccinated a minimum of 14 days forward of the staff’s journey to Toronto.
Once more, although. It's downright unattainable to consider that the Yankees should not assured they are going to be bringing Benintendi alongside for that trip. It's unattainable to consider that a participant who desires to contribute in a pennant race and run to the World Collection — and who desires to assimilate — can be that egocentric. It's inconceivable that Cashman left this as much as likelihood and/or peer strain.
Apart from having taken the jab, Benintendi brings all of it to The Bronx as a rental. He’s a slasher. He will get on base. He can bat up and down the order. He provides high quality protection in left discipline. He makes the Yankees a deeper, extra versatile and harmful staff and at simply the suitable time.
The lengthy season was in want of a refresher after the Yanks had gained simply 5 of their final 15 video games and had dropped a doubleheader in Houston and a two-game collection to the Mets in Queens throughout the final week. This acquisition added to this pitching efficiency from Taillon, Ron Marinaccio and Clay Holmes, and Choose’s routine heroics offered that for this 67-33 staff that's on a 109-53 tempo.
Benintendi has championship pedigree as a member of the Pink Sox 2018 World Collection winners. His 5 years in Boston ought to have ready him effectively for all times within the Bronx fishbowl. He’s an energizing drive on the sphere whose addition will give Boone a deep effectively of choices — “He modifies the equation,” mentioned the supervisor — these ultimate two months even because the GM sifts for extra gold forward of Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
Boone talked about how making out the lineup shall be a “enjoyable sport” to play with Benintendi on the membership and the way will probably be “funner” when Giancarlo Stanton returns from his 10-day stint on the injured listing with Achilles tendinitis and the membership is wholesome. However whereas Benintendi has an array of expertise, the most effective means is availability.
“I’m simply attempting to return right here and assist any approach I can,” Benintendi mentioned.
He may also help by getting vaccinated.
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