Andrew Benintendi, Royals go to arbitration: $8.5M vs $7.3M

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Outfielder Andrew Benintendi went to arbitration with the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, asking for $8.5 million instead of the team's $7.3 million offer.

A decision by the panel of Mark Burstein, Keith Greenberg and Steven Wolf is expected Friday, along with a decision in the case of Seattle second baseman Adam Frazier, which was heard by a different panel on May 2 in the first of this year's lockout-delayed hearings.

Benintendi declined comment on the hearing before Thursday's game at Texas. Royals manager Mike Matheny said having an arbitration hearing during the season creates a distraction.

'œTalked to him a couple times -- last night, again today. He's a pro. He understands there's a business component,'ť Matheny said. 'œHe's one of the mentally toughest players I've been around, and if anybody is capable of handling this really well, he's the person. Still, we are so routine-oriented, as all of you know, that's nowhere near the normal routine, to sit through an arbitration case the day of a baseball game.'ť

He hit .276 with 17 homers and 73 RBIs last year, earning a Gold Glove in his first season with the Royals. He was acquired from Boston in February 2021 as part of a three-team trade that also involved the New York Mets.

Benintendi, 27, made $6.6 million last season and is eligible for free agency after this year's World Series. He is batting .314 with one homer and 12 RBIs. No statistics or evidence from after March 1 are admissible other than contract and salary comparisons, timing set when Major League Baseball and the players' association agreed to the deal that ended the lockout.

In the first two decisions this year, the Atlanta Braves beat third baseman Austin Riley, who will be paid $3.95 million instead of $4.25 million, and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who will get $3.4 million rather than $4.15 million.

A decision also remains pending for Milwaukee right-hander Adrian Houser.

Fifteen additional players are eligible for arbitration, with hearings scheduled through June 24. Players scheduled for hearings include Atlanta outfielder Adam Duvall, pitcher Max Fried and Dansby Swanson, along with New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, New York Mets pitcher Chris Bassitt, Minnesota catcher Gary Sánchez and Philadelphia pitcher Zach Eflin.

Arbitration hearings usually are held during the first three weeks of February but were delayed by the lockout.

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