Should the Dodgers Bring Back Howie Kendrick?

While the rumor mill has been turning this offseason, Dodgers’ FA Howie Kendrick has yet to see a market emerge.

The Dodgers offered three qualifying offers, and I expected it to net them two compensatory draft picks. In a way, I can still be right. Brett Anderson agreed to the qualifying offer, keeping him on the Dodgers in 2016. Zack Greinke, who I expected to decline the QO and re-sign for a longer deal in LA, is now in Arizona. The Dodgers have one comp pick, and could still have a second with Howie Kendrick still available.

Kendrick has been almost annoyingly consistent throughout his career, and his numbers last year in LA were pretty consistent of his career numbers. He owned a .295/.336/.409 slashline in 2015 (career .293/.333/.423) and his defense looked solid to the eye test, but he ranked below-average in most defensive metrics. Kendrick will be 33 right around the all-star break and proved last year that he can still get it done.

While the Dee Gordon trade has been a sore spot for many fans, that’s not the trade fans should be upset about. The follow up trade to that, when the Dodgers sent Andrew Heaney to Anaheim for Kendrick, was a bit more questionable at the time and looks even worse now. Heaney posted solid numbers in his first year for the Angels and looks to be a legit rotation option that won’t be a free agent until 2022, while Kendrick will likely not be back with the Dodgers next year. By turning down the QO, he will net the Dodgers a draft pick if he signs elsewhere. That would give the Dodgers three in the top-50 (his QO, Greinke’s QO and for failing to sign Kyle Funkhouser last year). They lost/will lose their first round pick if and when the signing of Hisashi Iwakuma becomes official.

Aug 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) runs the bases against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As of now, there are probably three second base candidates for the Dodgers. Jose Peraza is the fourth best prospect in the Dodgers’ system and the second best 2b prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, and could be a contender come opening day. This move would give the Dodgers a barely-legally-allowed-to-drink double play combo of Peraza and Corey Seager, both of whom turn 22 in April. It might not be ideal to have a middle of the infield be that young (especially with a 23-year-old center fielder), but Peraza’s speed and defense could be a missing piece for the Dodgers next year.

If Peraza doesn’t win the job out of Spring Training, the Dodgers would likely platoon second base between Chase Utley and Enrique Hernandez. Utley was pretty bad last year, but is a year removed from a .286/.344/.430 slashline against righties. He’s definitely not the best option, but as a backup 2b/3b/1b on a cheap one year contract, he’s a solid guy to have on the team. Hernandez quickly became a fan favorite for his personality, but was one of the most pleasant surprises on the field as he put up great offensive numbers in his rookie season. Most of his damage came against lefties, where he slashed .423/.471/774 in 87 plate appearances. Obviously a minuscule sample size, but he was definitely a bright spot of the offense last year. He struggled against righties (especially righties with good off-speed stuff), but his versatility should ensure a spot on the opening day roster. Whether or not he becomes a full-time starter remains to be seen.

Given all of this, it’s tough to imagine a scenario in which Kendrick is back in Dodger blue next year. It’s tough to gauge his market right now, as he was probably the second best second baseman available in free agency behind Ben Zobrist. Zobrist signed for four years/$56 million with the Cubs, which is right around the number I can probably see Kendrick getting. Zobrist has the added value of versatility, but is also two years older than Kendrick so I would imagine their value is close to equal. Kendrick being back would be great for next season, but past that he would seemingly be blocking a promising prospect (Peraza).

Next: The Dodgers will be fine without Zack Greinke

Kendrick had a great year for the Dodgers despite getting bitten by the hamstring monster, but it would be a surprise to see him back in Dodger blue next year. Between Peraza, Hernandez and Utley, the Dodgers should be able to form a great middle-of-the-infield with Seager.