The Toronto Blue Jays have been an interesting team this year. They got off to a slow start, only to turn the engines on in June and surge into first place in the American League East.
At 55-41, they lead the New York Yankees by two games in the division as they enter the second half of 2025. They are also 7-3 in their last 10 games.
However, they are dealing with a couple of injuries, particularly in their outfield. Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander are both on the shelf.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report listed Andrew Benintendi as the Chicago White Sox best trade chip and had the Blue Jays as a top fit for the veteran.
“Benintendi is overpaid relative to his five-year, $75 million contract, and he is still on the books in 2026 ($17.1 million) and 2027 ($15.1 million), but he has been a productive hitter, posting a 101 OPS+ with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. The White Sox are willing to pay down his salary to move him,” Reuter wrote.
“With Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander both on the injured list, the Blue Jays are leaning on a combination of Nathan Lukes, Joey Loperfido, Myles Straw and Davis Schneider for more playing time than expected in the outfield.”
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Benintendi is struggling a little bit at the plate, having slashed .233/.297/.429 with a .727 OPS, but has still been productive, as Reuter points out.
He still has two years of club control after having joined the White Sox prior to the 2023 season. He does provide a little bit of power from the left side and is also a solid defender. He even brings a little speed.
This is something the Blue Jays can benefit from, especially with their signing of Santander having turned south this year. Benintendi is a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner.
The veteran outfielder was with the Boston Red Sox when they won their World Series title in 2018, so he also brings valuable postseason experience to a team hoping to make it back to October after a 74-88 finish in 2024.
We’ll see if Toronto shows interest in him.
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