OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 26: Andrew Benintendi #18 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on August 26, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Anthony Rizzo is only one of the New York Yankees free agents the Houston Astros should consider signing this offseason.
The Houston Astros are in hot pursuit of New York Yankees free agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo. After sweeping the Yankees in the ALCS last month, it looks like Houston is ready for another victory against their greatest American League foe.
Stealing Rizzo would be a huge move for the Astros. It would improve their first base situation, which is vacant due to Yulieski Gurriel’s own free agency.
Rizzo isn’t the only Yankees free agent worth signing. Along with him, Houston should consider these three other now ex-Yankees.
1) Astros should consider signing Yankees free agent Andrew Benintendi
Rizzo would replace Gurriel at first base. Could Andrew Benintendi replace Michael Brantley in left field?
The two players are somewhat similar. They don’t rely on power like many players at the position. Houston can get enough of that from Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, and others and have Benintendi as their starting left fielder next year and beyond.
Yankees fans hardly got to know Benintendi as one of their own. Acquired at least year’s trade deadline, he appeared in only 33 regular season games for them. He was injured during their short-lived postseason run.
A lifetime .279/.351/.431 hitter, Benintendi would bring with him similar qualities as Brantley. He’s also only 28 years old. And despite the lack of power he showed in 2022, he could be someone to regain pop in the future. He has averaged 16 home runs per 162 games in his career. Hitting five last season in his 126 games was likely more of an outlier than an expectation for the future.
Because of his age, Benintendi comes with far less risk than some other options out there. The Astros won’t be paying him into his mid-30s. Benintendi is a free agent signing the Astros can win with now and let someone else proceed with caution when he’s nearer to the end.