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MLB Free Agents: The many options of Howie Kendrick

By Tyler Roberts

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Washington Nationals second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) hits a home run in the seventh inning during Game 7 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (Photo by Jonathan Newton /The Washington Post via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Washington Nationals second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) hits a home run in the seventh inning during Game 7 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (Photo by Jonathan Newton /The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Unlike some MLB free agents, Howie Kendrick will have no shortage of suitors this off-season after his 2019 postseason heroics.

The lasting image of Howie Kendrick of the Washington Nationals is his series-clinching grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs.  Because of this moment, unlike other MLB free agents like him, will have plenty of suitors this hot stove season.

Now that he is a free agent, that is the last image every single team has of him.  As a result, there will be plenty of teams lining up for his services.  He just wrapped up his 14th season and will be 36 next season.

Teams should be able to get 1-2 years of good ball from Kendrick.  He can come off the bench in pinch-hit situations as well as giving some of the starters regular rest days.  According to Ken Rosenthal, there are several interested teams including the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Now the only question is which team will sign him.  I have to automatically count out the Tampa Bay Rays, simply for the fact they made a big splash in free agency last year signing Charlie Morton and I don’t think they’ll be up to paying another veteran big money.  They have also been, historically one of the most frugal clubs in the league.

Kendrick will command a pretty decent contract after slashing .286/.267/.369 in the playoffs with 2 home runs and 12 RBI’s.  During the regular season, he was even better slashing .344/.395/.572 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI’s in 121 games.

I don’t know that the Cincinnati Reds will shell out the money to get him either.  They seem like they need to get younger and the Kendrick signing really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.  Of the teams sifting through the endless list of MLB free agents, I feel like the Miami Marlins are the team he’ll end up with.

Next. Could the Oakland A’s Trade Marcus Semien?. dark

They have a history of overpaying and Kendrick can help bridge the gap with some of the young talent.  I believe he will be taking his talents to South Beach for the 2020 MLB season.

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