MLB Trade Rumors: Royals' Andrew Benintendi Interests Multiple Teams Before Deadline

Fresh off making his first All-Star Game appearance for the Kansas City Royals, Andrew Benintendi could find himself playing for a new team before the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, there are "multiple teams" interested in acquiring Benintendi for the stretch run this season.

One interesting note from Feinsand's report is "some" American League East teams are among those looking at Benintendi.

The Royals recently played a series against the Toronto Blue Jays without 10 players, who had to be placed on the restricted list.

Benintendi, who was among the players unavailable for the series, did not specify if he was vaccinated against COVID-19. He told reporters getting vaccinated is a "personal choice" and he'd "leave it at that."

Due to Canada's COVID-19 vaccine travel requirements, unvaccinated MLB players and coaches are unable to travel with their team for games against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Networked noted the New York Yankees were "unlikely" to continue their pursuit of Benintendi. The Yankees still have six games remaining in Toronto during the regular season.

Despite his potential unavailability for games against the Blue Jays, Benintendi could be one of the best players moved before the trade deadline. The 28-year-old is hitting .317/.386/.401 with three homers and 37 RBI in 87 games with the Royals.

Unlike the Juan Soto trade market, which could be limited by virtue of the number of high-level prospects it will take to acquire him and the money he can make over the next two years through arbitration, Benintendi should be on the radar for all playoff contenders looking for an outfield upgrade.

Benintendi is making $8.6 million this season, his final year of team control before being eligible for free agency. At this point, he is owed around $3.7 million for the remainder of the regular season.