KC Royals Trades: 4 Andrew Benintendi deals to ponder

Trade rumors have surrounded KC Royals left fielder Andrew Benintendi and, with the Aug. 2 trade deadline now less than a month away, they’ll only increase.

Because Benintendi’s value is so high—after going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk in the Royals’ heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Houston Monday, he’s slashing .314/.380/.400—now seems like a good time for the Royals to entertain deals for their Gold Glove left fielder, especially considering he’s in his contract year and can test free agency after the season ends.

Kansas City, however, doesn’t have a history of trading players when many think they should. Might that trend change when it comes to Benintendi this year?

Will the KC Royals break with tradition and trade Andrew Benintendi?

In 2017, when it seemed so obvious the Royals should trade their 2015 championship core before its members became free agents, they instead retained them all. They then refused to trade Whit Merrifield and kept his outstanding offensive production for two 100-loss teams and two others.

Sometimes, though, Kansas City does trade players when the circumstances call for it: they dealt Mike Minor before this season started, then moved Carlos Santana last week.

Hints of being more transactionally timely have been there, but this year’s trade deadline will gauge whether the club is changing. Benintendi could be the biggest outfield trade chip this summer and return a decent haul of talent, one that will grow if a war for his services develops.

Here are four Benintendi deals the Royals should consider.