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SAN DIEGO – The Post has heard that the Mets are among the teams negotiating with free agent Andrew Benintendi.
The Yankees would like to reconnect with Benintendi, and he would be a far better match with them, the Astros, or any of the other clubs interested in the left-handed hitter.
The Mets’ conversations with the 28-year-old Benintendi indicate that the organization is really pondering a future without the free agent Brandon Nimmo. If Nimmo goes, the Mets would have to move Starling Marte or Mark Canha to center field to accommodate Benintendi in left field. This has never appeared to be their choice in terms of defense and wear and tear, especially on Marte.
It might provide the Mets with more opportunities. The Mets could maybe include Canha in a deal, or they could add a center fielder like Kevin Kiermaier and have Benintendi, Canha, and Marte rotate between the corner outfield positions and designated hitter. That would entail relegating Darin Ruf and Daniel Vogelbach to the bench or making them trade candidates. It might also restrict Francisco Alvarez’s DH possibilities if he becomes offensively proficient as a rookie.
The Yankees will feature Andrew Benintendi on August 30, 2022.
It would offer the Mets some positional depth. Buck Showalter has proved that he would rather make difficult everyday decisions than be without options in the event of an injury.
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