Royals’ Benintendi set for arbitration results

ARLINGTON, Texas — Outfielder Andrew Benintendi (Arkansas Razorbacks) 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 today, 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.

“Talked to him a couple times — last night, again today. He’s a pro. He understands there’s a business component,” Matheny said. “He’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.”

He hit .276 with 17 home runs and 73 RBI 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 home run and 12 RBI. No statistics or evidence from after March 1 are admissible other than contract and salary comparisons, timing set when MLB 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.