Outfielder Andrew Benintendi and the Chicago White Sox agreed on a five-year, $75 million contract Friday, linking one of the game’s premier bat-to-ball hitters with a team whose contact-oriented approach is one of its offensive hallmarks.
The 28-year old Benintendi hit .304/.373/.399 this year in his time with the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees, who acquired him in a deadline trade. A Gold Glove-winning left fielder, Benintendi posted the ninth-best batting average in Major League Baseball in 2022 and a top-25 strikeout percentage.
The $75 million guarantee represents the largest free agent contract in White Sox history. It beats the $73 million given to catcher Yasmani Grandal in a four-year deal that expires following the 2023 season.
The White Sox, whose disappointing 2022 was pocked by injuries and regression, finished 19th in MLB in runs scored and lost their best offensive player, first baseman Jose Abreu, via free agency to the Houston Astros. Left fielder Andrew Vaughn is expected to move to first base, freeing up a spot for Benintendi to join center fielder Luis Robert, one of the White Sox’s foundational players.