Report: Kendrick plans to play in 2021, drawing interest in free agency
Howie Kendrick is ready for at least one more kick at the can.
After flirting with retirement, Kendrick is set to return in 2021 for what will be his 16th major-league season, sources told Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic.
He's already generated some interest as a free agent, according to Ghiroli, though it's not known which teams were eyeing him.
The 37-year-old spent most of the last four seasons with the Washington Nationals, serving as an important utility player during their remarkable 2019 championship run. In addition to being named the NLCS MVP that October, Kendrick hit both the division-series and World Series-clinching home runs.
He came back to the Nats in 2020 and was their primary DH, but Kendrick saw his slash line drop to .275/.320/.385 with two homers, 14 RBIs, and 17 strikeouts over 25 games. After an injury ended what he called a "tough" campaign in September, Kendrick openly floated the idea of retiring.
Had it not been a COVID-shortened season, Kendrick said this fall, 2020 would have been his last. He's now 100 percent committed to playing in '21 whether there's a universal DH or not.
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) November 30, 2020
An All-Star in 2011, Kendrick is a lifetime .294/.337/.430 hitter with 1,747 hits, 127 home runs, and 126 stolen bases after playing for four teams. Originally a second baseman, he's also spent significant time at first base, third base, and left field.