Free-agent infielder Howe Kendrick may be close to parlaying a brilliant 2019 campaign with the World Series-winning Nationals into a contract with a different club. The Rays are the front-runners to sign Kendrick, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Meanwhile, Cincinnati – another team that has been connected to Kendrick early this offseason – doesn’t seem likely to sign him, a source told Nightengale.
The 36-year-old Kendrick is well-equipped for an American League team like the Rays, with whom he’d be able to primarily serve as a first baseman/designated hitter. He’s also still versatile enough defensively to see time at second and third base. Beyond that, Kendrick’s ability to rake adds to his appeal as a free agent – one who MLBTR predicts will land a two-year, $12MM contract.
Kendrick has been a quality hitter since his career began in 2006, but he’s now on the heels of his best offensive campaign yet. While Kendrick was only a part-time player with the Nationals in 2019, he hit a jaw-dropping .344/.395/.572 with 17 home runs over 370 plate appearances. And Statcast was even more impressed with Kendrick, evidenced by an expected weighted on-base average (.419) that ranked fourth in the majors and outdid a fantastic .400 real wOBA. Once the regular season ended, Kendrick’s heroics carried into the playoffs, where he swatted a pair of home runs (one versus the Dodgers and another against the Astros) that helped the Cinderella Nationals to a championship.
While Kendrick is still clearly capable of helping just about anyone’s offense, Cincy doesn’t look like the best fit for him. The majority of Kendrick’s playing time this season came at first base, where the Reds already have Joey Votto entrenched as their starter. He also saw a decent amount of time at third base, but the Reds are committed to the big-hitting Eugenio Suarez there. Kendrick can also play second, where the Reds don’t have an established starter, though it doesn’t seem he’s a consistent option there at this point in his career. He logged just 23 games at the keystone in 2019.
Don’t they already have a packed infield?…
I don’t trust a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter on this one
Who is “they”? If you mean the Rays, they have an opening at 1B/DH as the article mentions, and you can never have enough players capable of playing any position.
i wouldn’t trust Bobby after his Manager of the Year calls
That was Bob
He’d be nice to have, but probably not the best fit. Brock Holt would be a better fit for a utility player on the Reds.
Makes sense that he would want to play for a contender like the Rays, in his home state of Florida. Cash will easily find 400-500 PA’s for Howie as a 1B, 2B, 3B, DH & in the corners of the outfield.
I think that might diminish his production. I’d hope for his sake they don’t overdo it and keep him around 350-400 PA
Agreed but with those numbers he put up last year I can see an AL club pushing the envelope a little, especially if he’s DH’ing 2 or 3 times a week.
Most of those reps will be at DH. He should be able to handle that.
I was hoping he’d return to Anaheim… it seemed like such a good fit too
Oh Howie, I still never forget that grand slam in game 5 of the NLDS. Thank you.
He had a slightly bigger one later on in the post-season
Howie had a great season because Davey elected to give him time off a few times a week. That was the plan going into the season. Howie acknowledged it, thanked him for that, and said the time off kept him strong.
Last year he had 370 PA’s.
Howie would do well as a part-time DH and part-time 1B. Even 400 AB’s might be too much.
The epitome of “a professional hitter”.
2 years and 12 million. I see someone getting cut loose at mid year. Wow that is ridiculous
Sure Tampa, gain interest on someone that had a career year at the age of 35. You all always find the way.
Is this post a dig at Tampa? I guess the Morton signing last year was a bad move too.
Kendrick is a great choice as the RH hitting option for all the Rays LH hitters. Playing 2nd,3rd,1st and corner OF positions is a plus but most important is his experience/professionalism with such a young Rays team.
Agreed.
This is an easy call if you’re Tampa, Duffy, Aguilar get non tendered and spend that money towards Kendrick. He’s a perfect player for the Rays with his veteran presence and leadership and it actually helps not having to give him a ton of at bats, because the rays are stacked
Agreed
Watch… Kendrick will get 400 ABs, a couple stints on the DL & deliver big production. Probably hit 5th and DH in the playoffs. The Bat is still there and he hits good pitching.
Looks like Jesus Aquilar might be a non tender or moved for a PTBLN if Kendrick is signed by the Rays. Duffy might be a good trade option for another team looking for a low cost infield depth player.
Good mentor for Yandy Diaz too.