MLB.com’s William Ladson reported on Wednesday that the Washington Nationals are talking with free-agent second baseman Howie Kendrick.
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Nats in Need of a 2nd Baseman
Wednesday, Dec. 23
The 32-year-old spent last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and batted .295 with nine home runs and 54 RBI in 117 games. Along with Kendrick, the Nationals have spoken with fellow free-agent second baseman Daniel Murphy, formerly of the New York Mets, per Ladson.
The Nationals are in search of a second baseman because of turmoil in their middle infield. Last year’s second baseman, Danny Espinosa, looks to be the team’s starter on Opening Day, but with the looming departure of free-agent shortstop Ian Desmond, Espinosa has other ideas.
On Dec. 18, he told Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post he wants to be a shortstop, so the 28-year-old could be a suitable replacement for Desmond.
Washington looked to have found its next second baseman in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Brandon Phillips, per CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, but the veteran did not waive his no-trade clause after the Nationals were unwilling to give him a contract extension.
Kendrick is a tough out who will be a consistent performer night in and night out. In his 10 years in the league, he’s only batted under .285 once.
He could provide a solid presence toward the top of the Nationals lineup, as he does pretty well to get on base. In seven of his 10 years in the majors, Kendrick has had an on-base percentage of .330 or higher.
His mark of .336 last season would have trailed on the Nationals only Bryce Harper and Yunel Escobar, who are normally the No. 3 and 4 hitters in Washington’s lineup.
A bat like Kendrick who could get on base regularly before those two could give the Nationals more opportunities to score. Battling in the National League East with the New York Mets and their stacked pitching, Washington could use the kind of pseudo small-ball style Kendrick brings in order to grind out some runs.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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