Veteran Howie Kendrick intends to suit up for his 16th Major League season and perhaps more, as Kendrick tells The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli (Twitter links) that he is hoping to play “at least” one more year. Kendrick implied via an Instagram post earlier this month that he was planning to return, and he told Ghiroli that he had already received some interest on the free agent market.
The Nationals declined their end of a $6.5MM mutual option on Kendrick’s services for 2021, instead paying him a $2.25MM buyout. The decision wasn’t too surprising in the wake of an unremarkable year for the 37-year-old, who hit .275/.320/.385 over 100 plate appearances for Washington in 2020. Kendrick was hampered by a hamstring injury and two lost weeks of Summer Camp preparation due to COVID-19 quarantine.
Barring another deal between Kendrick and the Nats, those numbers could end Kendrick’s tenure in the District on something of a down note, though his overall time with the team was a huge success. Kendrick hit .316/.361/.511 over 808 PA in a Nationals uniform since first joining the team in July 2017, twice re-upping on free agent contracts. This stint was highlighted, naturally, by Kendrick’s NLCS MVP performance in 2019, and his two-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 7 of the World Series that put Washington ahead for good as the club captured its first championship.
With this much recent success in mind, Kendrick wasn’t ready to end his career given the abbreviated nature of the 2020 season. He said last fall that he was originally intending to retire if 2020 had been a normal season, but “to think you would end on a year like this … it is a tough one.”
The “professional hitter” tag has often been applied to Kendrick over his 15 seasons with the Nationals, Phillies, Dodgers, and Angels, as he has delivered a .294/.337/.430 career slash line and been an above-average (109 wRC+ and OPS) offensive performance for much of that time. Beginning his career as a second baseman, Kendrick has also evolved into a versatile defensive asset, able to be plugged in at first base, third base, and even corner outfield duty as well as continued work at the keystone. Though Kendrick played only first base and DH last season, he told Ghiroli that it doesn’t matter to him whether or not the National League once again institutes the designated hitter in 2021.
Come home to the Angels.
As an Angels fan, I would love that, but I don’t know how confident I am in his ability to play 2B on a regular basis, and DH is locked up between Ohtani and Pujols. I suppose what they could do is split him between 2B and 1B, and have Walsh play RF when Kendrick is at 1st.
Tristpa exactly, or have Howie play RF.
He absolutely should, Kendricks has put together a nice career.
Perfect fit for the Brewers
I would love for the Padres to get him “if” we have the DH in the NL.
He could play 1b against tough lefties spelling Hosmer and DH also.
Look up “professional hitter” and you’ll see a picture of Howie.
Back to the Nats. He was a hero and will be part of their history he should end it with them.
He’s just been a really solid player forever, man. 1,747 hits, 127 home runs, 126 steals.
He seems to be aging fairly gracefully & has shown up in the postseason. Add in his defensive versatility & his reputation & someone will sign him.
Bet.
Not that Kendrick himself would make it, but with so many players putting off retirement after the shortened season, I doubt there will be much of a Hall of Fame class in 2026. Meanwhile, the competition for the 2027 class will likely be very strong, especially if Pujols retires after next season.
He needs to retire a Nat
Wouldn’t mind the Braves snagging Kendrick for his ability to play 2nd and 3rd but also playing 1st to give Freddie Freeman a night off for some much needed rest. Go get’em AA!!
I think quite a few MLB players would be happy with a .275 batting season. Especially those not making over $10mill a season.
Love Mike Rizzo and rarely question him.
But…
Losing Parra to Japan was a mistake last year.
Losing Eaton and Kendrick would be at least 1 mistake this year.
IMHO
Yeah, that “unremarkable” batting line would be called “solid” if it was another player. After 16 seasons of grinding out this kind of performance you’d think Kendrick would not be so underrated.
.700 ops for an offense only player is definitely unremarkable. Negative WAR (if you care about that sort of thing. It was not a very good season but he has had a very good career
I hope be goes to a hitter’s Haven and bounces back
This isn’t very far off his career numbers. Kendrick has never been a huge power threat. His talent is for making contact. And as the article points out, he’s more or less reinvented himself as a utility player. The Dodgers got him started in that direction.
Howie would be a good addition to most teams especially teams with DH AB’s to give. Rangers could use him as 1B/DH, Royals, Mariners, Blue Jays, Indians, White Sox, Phillies, Brewers all are good fits