Former Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi will be back in the American League Central, but it will be with the division-rival Chicago White Sox. The free agent signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Sox, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. It is is the largest contract in White Sox franchise history.
The 28-year-old Benintendi is coming off his best season since 2018, where he hit .304/.373/.399 with 52 walks. He was worth 3.2 rWAR overall and earned his first All-Star appearances. The Royals traded him in July to the Yankees for minor league pitchers T.J. Sikkema, Beck Way, and Chandler Champlain.