Report: Dodgers, Kendrick agree to 2-year, $20M deal
Despite generating interest from several teams as a free agent this offseason, second baseman Howie Kendrick is poised to stick with the Dodgers after agreeing Friday to a new two-year, $20-million contract with Los Angeles, sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The deal is pending a physical.
Acquired by the Dodgers last winter after spending the first nine years of his career in Anaheim, roughly 30 miles southeast of Chavez Ravine, the 32-year-old continued to produce at the plate in 2015. Though he was limited to just 118 games - his fewest since 2009 - Kendrick hit .295/.336/.409 with nine homers and 22 doubles in his first season with the Dodgers, finishing fourth among National League second basemen with a 107 wRC+ (min. 400 plate appearances).
His defense, however, tailed off dramatically in 2015, contributing to his lowest WAR total (2.1) in a half-decade. According to defensive runs saved, no second baseman in the majors fared worse afield than Kendrick (-12), who made plays on a career-low 68.8 percent of balls considered "likely" outs, per Inside Edge Fielding.
| Season | WAR | AVG | ISO | wRC+ | DRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2.7 | .287 | .113 | 103 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2.6 | .297 | .142 | 117 | -3 |
| 2014 | 4.7 | .293 | .104 | 115 | 7 |
| 2015 | 2.1 | .295 | .114 | 109 | -12 |
Still, the former All-Star will likely reprise his role as Los Angeles' primary second baseman this season, though the recently re-signed Chase Utley will compete for playing time at second, too. Enrique Hernandez, the versatile 23-year-old who hit .307/.346/.490 (130 OPS+) in 76 games last season, could log some innings at second base, as well.