Speaking at the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9, 2014, Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi proclaimed All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon was not on the trade block. Gordon was packaged to the Miami Marlins less than 24 hours later.
Now Howie Kendrick finds himself in a similar situation. He replaced Gordon at second base during the 2015 season then reached free agency. Kendrick rejected the qualifying offer from the Dodgers, but found limited options on the open market.
He ultimately re-signed with the Dodgers in January, agreeing to a two-year deal. With one year and $10 million remaining on Kendrick’s contract, the Dodgers reportedly are exploring trade options.
The 33-year-old battled some inconsistency at the plate, and was shifted out to left field. Kendrick’s position change was in response to missing the start of the season while recovering from a strained calf and Chase Utley taking over at second base, and Andre Ethier’s fractured tibia.
While it appears the Dodgers are open to trading Kendrick, Zaidi voiced confidence in him potentially returning next season as the club’s starting second baseman, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“He got off to a slow start, and there were some concerns,” Zaidi said. “But the way he ended the season, that’s more what you would expect, given the ebb and flow of the season, having hot and cold streaks. And he had great at-bats in the playoffs. That’s not a concern for us at all.
“Coming into camp as the second baseman, if the off-season plays out that way, I don’t think that would be an issue.”
Kendrick batted .255/.326/.366 with 26 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBI this season. He made 79 starts in left field, a position last played in 2013 — though just for one game. Prior to that, Kendrick’s last spent significant time in left during 2011 when he made 20 starts.
Unless Los Angeles were to receive a second baseman in a potential Kendrick trade, there isn’t a clear candidate to take over at the position.
Utley is currently a free agent, Micah Johnson has struggled to hit during his brief time in the Majors, and the Dodgers appear to prefer keeping Kiké Hernandez in a utility role.
One free-agent option is Neil Walker, though he underwent season-ending back surgery in early September to repair a bulging disc, and was tendered the qualifying offer by the New York Mets.
