Philadelphia Phillies: Howie Kendrick’s Role as a Stopgap
By Tal Venada
While left field is Kendrick’s best position defensively, he can also play second base, first base and the hot corner. Basically, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired him to plug an outfield hole for ’17. But their preference was a left-handed bat with pop for a corner outfield spot.
Even though the new left fielder won’t affect Roman Quinn, only a backup role could remain for Cody Asche if he’s still with the team. Meanwhile, outfielder Nick Williams and right fielder Dylan Cozens will be with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. That said, Cozens will probably need most of the summer before getting a call-up, and what will Williams get if he has plate discipline, Double D? A promotion.
At the Winter Meetings in early December, you can imagine Klentak haggling with other general managers because the front office still wants to improve their offensive. For now, however, Klentak will count on Odubel Herrera in center field, Quinn as the right fielder and a bounce-back gamble in left field. But you can also envision Kendrick fitting the GM’s bill because he is a second sacker by trade, who averaged .295, .293 and .297 in the three campaigns before 2016. So why was he available now for Klentak? He hit .255.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “In the split second from the time the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand until it reaches the plate you have to think about your stride, your hip action, your wrist action, determine how much, if any the ball is going to break and then decide whether to swing at it.” – Duke Snider"