As first reported by Bob Nightengale, the Washington Nationals have agreed to a two year, $7 million dollar contract with Howie Kendrick.
Perhaps one of the most underappreciated trades last season was Mike Rizzo scooping into the rebuilding Phillies and swinging a trade for Howie Kendrick. Since then, Kendrick proved to be one of the Nats’ biggest assets off the bench.
After he arrived in DC last July, Kendrick hit 293/.343/.494 with 7 HRs in 52 games for Dusty Baker’s ballclub. The Nationals relied heavily on their bench last season due to injuries to many notable players such as Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Jayson Werth. Although two of those three are healthy and ready to play come March 29th, one significant bat in the order may be absent on opening day.
Once the Nats were eliminated in the NLDS, slugging second basemen Daniel Murhpy opted to have microfracture surgery on his right knee to repair a nagging leg problem that plagued his NLDS performance. Although GM Mike Rizzo said at Winterfest “he will be ready for Opening Day,” there is some speculation on the truth of that. The signing of Howie Kendrick and the presence of Wilmer Difo will sure up that position until Murph is ready to go.
If the season started today, the Nats bench would consist of:
1B/OF Matt Adams
INF/OF Howie Kendrick
INF Wilmer Difo
OF Brian Goodwin
C Pedro Severino
Barring another move, that bench could once again prove to be one of the best in baseball.
The Nats will likely shift their attention to the starting pitcher market now that the stove has started heating up. Big names like Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish are still available, but the Nats will likely opt to signing Lance Lynn (as reported last week) or Alex Cobb, both of whom will have significantly lower deals. With the goal of minimizing their luxury tax penalty, the Nats will likely opt to Lance Lynn who could compete for the #3 spot in the rotation.
The Kendrick signing also means the Nats will more than likely not bring back utility infielder Stephen Drew who once again had an injury filled 2017. Although a spring training invite/minor league deal is possible (and would be beneficial), it still remains unlikely Drew will wear a Curly W in 2018 in part because the Nats gave his number (10) to a new member of Dave Martinez’s coaching staff.
This signing will provide the Nats with an incredible bench as they prepare for a World Series run in 2018. (Also- please use him in the postseason!)
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