Report: Multiple AL East teams interested in Royals All-Star OF Andrew Benintendi, vaccination status 'not having an impact'
As it turns out, Kansas City Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi being unvaccinated against COVID-19 is not appearing to deter teams from having interest in trading for the All-Star. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, even some teams playing in the same division as the Toronto Blue Jays are inquiring about "Benny's" availability.
Canada requires international travelers to be vaccinated in order to enter the country, which has led to scores of MLB players from numerous teams being unavailable when they face the Blue Jays on the road. Earlier this month when Kansas City squared off against Toronto north of the border, Benintendi was one of 10 unvaccinated players placed on the restricted list ahead of the series.
It was reported last week that the AL East-leading New York Yankees -- who still have six regular-season games left against the Blue Jays -- were " unlikely " to continue their pursuit of the 2015 first-round pick due to his vaccination status. It was later reported that the New York Mets -- who don't play in Toronto this season and would only have to meet with the Blue Jays on the road if both teams make the World Series, were keeping Benintendi on their " radar."
Coming out of the All-Star break, the 28-year-old and former Gold Glove award winner and AL Rookie of the Year runner-up, leads the Royals in batting average (career-high .317), on-base percentage (career-high .386), OPS (.786), hits (102) and walks (37).
More must-reads: