AL East Notes: Benintendi, Kluber, Rays

Despite all the commercial speculation that swirls Andrew Benintendi, the Red Sox do not have “has reached a point of no return in trade negotiations, “writes Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, and” there’s a good chance, but not a guarantee, “that Benintendi will not be moved. One of the hurdles preventing a deal is the number of quality left-field options remaining in free agency, so a needy team at the post might prefer to simply sign a longer-term response, rather than make a trade with the Sox for one player. which is only under the control of the team for two more seasons. Speier notes that the Red Sox themselves could be such a team looking for a longer-term outfielder and could explore the free agent market on their own if Benintendi is indeed treated.

More around the East AL …

• For more than half the league has sent scouts to watch Corey kluberflagship event of the Yankees on a one-year contract worth $ 11 million. Several teams made eight-figure offers, according to SNY.tv’s Andy Martino, and the Yankees’ offer wasn’t the most expensive deal on the table.
• Kluber has generated a lot of interest elsewhere in the AL East, as Martino writes that the Blue jays were one of the clubs that ‘bid aggressively’. Speier sheds some more light on Kluber’s situation, noting that he “seemed more interested in a clean one-year deal ‘rather than a one-year contract with a 2022 option – a structure that might have been more attractive to the Red Sox, another team with a legitimate interest in Kluber’s services.
• the Rays also “had a really good race” for Kluber, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. With Kluber now off the board, Chris Archer is still under review as the Rays continue to seek help with the veteran rotation.
• Also from Topkin, he provides health updates on Chirinos Yonny (Tommy John Surgery) and Brendan McKay (shoulder surgery). Chirinos began playing wrestling, although he did not undergo his TJ procedure until August. While the early progress is a good sign, it would still be a surprise if Chirinos were able to pitch at all in 2021 given Tommy John’s usual recovery schedule. McKay’s timeline isn’t as clear, as it was estimated last August that his labrum problem would keep him away at least in early spring. However, Topkin reports that McKay is expected to start wrestling “soon”, which could give both the star’s perspective and the Rays a better idea of ​​when McKay will be ready for the 2021 season.