KC Royals trade Andrew Benintendi to New York Yankees. Here’s who they’re getting

Left fielder Andrew Benintendi is heading back to the American League East.

Benintendi, who came up with the Boston Red Sox before being dealt to the Royals ahead of the 2021 season, was traded to the New York Yankees late Wednesday night.

The Royals are receiving right-handed pitchers Beck Way and Chandler Champlain and left-hander T.J. Sikkema.

“Andrew Benintendi is a true professional and a great example of how a winning player prepares and competes,” Royals President of Baseball Operations Dayton Moore said in a news release. “It was an absolute joy for all of us with the Royals to have him with our organization and in our city.”

Benintendi, 28, had been seen as the Royals’ most likely trade candidate because his contract expires at season’s end. In 92 games this season, he has batted .321 with 14 doubles and 39 RBIs. He was the Royals’ representative at last week’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

However, Benintendi made news for being among 10 unvaccinated Royals players who couldn’t make a trip to Toronto earlier this month. Initial reports said Benintendi’s vaccination status would hurt his chances of being traded to New York, which is in the same division as the Blue Jays. But the Yankees still made the trade.

But the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Benintendi will get the vaccine.

“Word is, Benintendi has told folks he will get the vaccination,” Heyman tweeted. “Trade is final, so Yankees must believe he will.”

The new pitchers

Two of the three pitchers the Royals received were among the Yankees’ top 25 prospects, according to Major League Baseball. Sikkema, played at Mizzou, is No. 19 on the list, while Way is No. 21.

Champlain, 23, pitched at Low-A Tampa and had a 4.30 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 19 walks in 73 1/3 innings pitched this season. Way, 22, has a 3.73 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings pitched at High-A Hudson Valley.

Sikkema, 24, was at Hudson Valley, and had a 2.48 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched.

ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel said Way is the biggest catch for the Royals.

“I saw him this spring and he flashed mid-rotation potential,” McDaniel tweeted. “Champlain and Sikkema are more backend starter types with a relief option if it doesn’t work.”

The Royals said Way and Sikkema will be assigned to High-A Quad Cities, and Champlain will be assigned to Low-A Columbia.

Benintendi batted .276 with 17 home runs and 73 RBIs a year ago when he won a Gold Glove Award. His first game with the Yankees likely will be against the Royals, who open a four-game series Thursday in the Bronx.