Andrew Benintendi introduced as White Sox’ new left fielder

Andrew Benintendi is going with No. 23, knowing its significance in Chicago.

Michael Jordan, Robin Ventura and Ryne Sandberg wore it.

Benintendi will, too.

“I was afraid this would be asked,” Benintendi said of the jersey choice at an introductory news conference on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field after the White Sox signed him to a franchise record five-year, $75 million contract. “It’s not what you think. I am a Michael Jordan fan. But the main numbers I usually like to wear were all taken or retired. And this presented itself and I thought, why not.”

Benintendi’s sister wore 32 in high school when she played basketball, so flipping that around was a tip of the cap to her.

“It’s a cool number, an iconic number in this city,” said Benintendi, who wore 16 (retired by the Sox for Hall of Fame pitcher Ted Lyons) with the Red Sox and Royals and 18 with the Yankees. “I’m by no means trying to say anything about that but hopefully it does me well.”

The Sox expect Benintendi to serve them well after signing him to the a deal which surpassed Yasmani Grandal’s $73 million contract for four years. The amount was more about skyrocketing player salaries and the Sox’ reluctance to spend nine figures for a free agent, but Benintendi looks like a good purchase of a rounded player.

“He’s a left fielder but he’s a very versatile player as far as where we hit him in the lineup,” said manager Pedro Grifol, a coach with the Royals the last two seasons while Benintendi was there before the Yankees dealt for him at the trade deadline. “He’s done everything in the game, he hits for average, he has hit for power, he runs the bases well. He fits really well with what we’re trying to do here.”

As for the distinction of that contract, Benintendi said “it’s almost an uncomfortable conversation to have.”

“I’m very grateful but I’m not a material guy or whatever it is. It’s nice to have. My job is to show up and play and win baseball games. It’s the same whether I’m the highest number or the lowest number, it doesn’t matter to me.”

In any event, with $8 million in base salary, Benintendi is ninth behind Lance Lynn ($18.5 million), Grandal ($18.25 million), Yoan Moncada ($17 million), Liam Hendriks ($14 million), Tim Anderson ($12.5 million), Eloy Jimenez ($9.5 million), Luis Robert ($9.5 million) and Joe Kelly ($9 million) on the 2023 payroll. Benintendi, 28, will receive $16.5 million each season from 2024-26 and $14.5 million in 2027.

The Yankees wanted Benintendi, a 2022 AL All-Star, to return but the Sox were willing to offer five years.

“The thing for me is from day one in the offseason there was communication,” Benintendi said. “There was constant interest throughout the entire process. . . . So glad to be here. It’s good to be with a team that wanted me.”

The Sox wanted Benintendi’s defense, which helps fill a need for a team that ranked 27th in defensive runs saved and allows Jimenez to be the primary designated hitter. Grifol, who has managed the defensively challenged Jimenez in the winter leagues, said Jimenez will work on his defense and will probably take some fly balls in right field — where prospect Oscar Colas could be the Opening Day starter — during spring training.

“And in a true professional manner, Eloy is like, whatever is best for this ballclub and whatever helps us win baseball games,” Grifol said.

Benintendi saw the Sox more than usual with the division rival Royals, and said he saw a team dealing with a lot of injuries.

“The talent’s insane so I’m definitely excited to be a part of that,” he said.

“The first thing that stands out about that team is the pitching staff. The tough arms in the bullpen, the tough starters. The talent at the plate.

“I’m excited to get things going.”