The Houston Astros are reportedly exploring another left-handed bat for their lineup, and while also shopping the corner outfield market, Andrew Benintendi kills two birds with one stone.
Last season, Benintendi was traded for the second time in his career. The lefty was on many teams' radars around the trade deadline given his All-Star season with the Kansas City Royals.
Benintendi slashed .320/.387/.398 with three home runs and 14 doubles. The lefty's power dipped in his seventh Major League season while a regression was present in his transition to New York. That may have come with right wrist inflammation that ended his season in September.
Compared to the 2021 season, Benintendi saw a decrease in average exit velocity and HardHit%. But what was improved in the 28 year old's plate approach was less chase and an improved eye.
Benintendi struck out roughly 15% of his 521 trips to the plate, marking nearly a 3% decrease in being punched out. And at the same time, the lefty dropped improved his walk rate with also a 3% difference in comparison to last year.
The Astros already have reported interest in Benintendi, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. And if Houston reaches an agreement with the corner outfielder, the lineup could flash versatility with Benintendi playing left field and Yordan Álvarez as the designated hitter.
While Álvarez is likely to see an increase in playing time in left field this season, Benintendi can flex into the designated hitter role too in manager Dusty Baker's starting nine.
But as Benintendi's plate approach improved so did his defense. According to Baseball Savant, the lefty outfielder ranked in the 65th percentile in Outs Above Average, 61st percentile in outfielder jump and 50th in arm strength — all refined from the previous sample in which he earned a Gold Glove Award.
Benintendi doesn't fit a left-handed, power bat mold the Astros may pursue, but his bat isn't a weakness in his overall play. While it may not behoove Houston to write in Benintendi for half of the season as the designated hitter, the lefty is still worth consideration this offseason.
And with an estimated $35 million left — which factors in José Abreu's contract — for the Astros to spend to stay under the Competitive Balance Tax threshold, Benintendi fits into Houston's equation of retooling for another postseason run.
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