Report: Yanks unlikely to trade for unvaxxed Benintendi, Mets have interest

Andrew Benintendi's vaccination status has apparently started to affect his trade market.

The New York Yankees, who reportedly discussed Benintendi in trade talks with the Kansas City Royals, are now unlikely to continue pursuing the outfielder because he's unvaccinated against COVID-19, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Benintendi was one of 10 unvaccinated Royals placed on the restricted list Thursday ahead of their four-game series in Toronto. Current Canadian border laws restrict entry for non-citizens who aren't fully vaccinated, making unvaccinated players ineligible to cross the border and play the Blue Jays. The United States has a similar policy in effect for its borders.

If the Yankees acquired Benintendi and he remained unvaccinated, he'd be ineligible to play in their final regular-season visit to Toronto in September, along with any potential playoff games at Rogers Centre. New York's entire roster is vaccinated, as no Yankee players missed the team's first two series in Toronto.

While the Yankees appear to be backing away, it's possible Benintendi could still end up in New York as the Mets continue to have interest in him, sources told Heyman. The Mets are less concerned about his vaccination status because the club won't play in Toronto unless they meet the Blue Jays in the World Series, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Benintendi's emerged as a popular trade target after an All-Star first half for the Royals. The 28-year-old, a free agent at season's end, is hitting .317/.386/.401 with three homers, 37 RBIs, and two stolen bases across 87 games this year.