Last offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers extended qualifying offers to free agents Brett Anderson, Zack Greinke and Howie Kendrick. The end-result was widely as expected, with Anderson accepting the one-year deal, and Greinke and Kendrick rejecting it.
Greinke didn’t find much trouble in free agency despite a compensation draft pick being attached to him. The 33-year-old went on to sign a six-year, $206.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Greinke’s $34.42 million average salary shattered the previous high — $31 million — shared by Miguel Cabrera and David Price.
However, it was an entirely different story for Kendrick after his first season with the Dodgers. Contract offers were few and far between, and so was interest.
Kendrick eventually re-signed with the Dodgers in late January. With just one year and $10 million remaining on his deal, Kendrick is being floated in trade talks, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
The Dodgers are exploring a trade of Kendrick, who grew frustrated with his role last season, according to major-league sources.
The Philadelphia Phillies are believed to be one team where Kendrick would fit:
The Phillies are one possible landing spot for Kendrick, sources say — the Phils are looking for short-term upgrades, and their general manager, Matt Klentak, was the Angels’ assistant GM during the latter part of Kendrick’s tenure in Anaheim.
Kendrick was slowed by a calf strain in Spring Training and began the 2016 season on the 15-day disabled list. He was reinstated April 12, but by that time Chase Utley had cemented himself as the Dodgers’ starting second baseman.
That forced Kendrick to left field, a position he’d last played in 2013, albeit for one game. Prior to that his most extensive experience came in 2011 when Kendrick started 20 games in left field.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the veteran for sacrificing his personal preference for the betterment of the team. Roberts also lauded Kendrick for his steady improvement and play in the outfield.
Whether affected by the position change or other factors, the 33-year-old battled inconsistency throughout a subpar season. Kendrick hit .255/.326/.366 with 26 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBI.
His playing time in the postseason diminished with the emergence of Andrew Toles. The Dodgers have the depth to do without Kendrick in the outfield, particularly when taking into account Trayce Thompson’s presence.
However, Chase Utley is currently a free agent, and trading Kendrick would leave the Dodgers without a clear-cut option at second base.
Austin Barnes projects as the backup catcher in the wake of Carlos Ruiz getting traded to the Seattle Mariners, and Micah Johnson has failed to prove he can hit in the Majors during limited time with the Chicago White Sox and Dodgers.
