Phillies Rumors: What's Following The Howie Kendrick Trade?
October 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) during workouts before game three of the NLCS at Dodgers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies made another early move this offseason by acquiring veteran Howie Kendrick from the Dodgers. Could this lead to more moves?
When the Phillies acquired 2B/LF Howie Kendrick friday afternoon, I began to think of what’s to come next.
Following the trade, GM Matt Klentak announced Kendrick as the teams everyday left fielder heading into the 2017 season.
However, I’m not buying.
Klentak knows Kendrick fairly well, as he does his own organizational talent, he’s a smart guy. He and his staff value pitching and defense just as much as any other front office in baseball.
That leads me to believe this trade was just a precursor of moves to follow. What exactly is coming following Kendrick’s acquisition? That remains to be seen.
But here’s why I believe the Howie Kendrick trade was the first of many:
Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Howie Kendrick (47) turns a double play in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Howie Kendrick has played at second base more than anywhere in his career, that shouldn’t change now.
When the Phillies acquired Kendrick, the idea of him being the everyday left fielder just didn’t add up.
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Sure, Kendrick played 94 games in left last year. And yes, he’s logged over 850 innings of work in left field in his career. However, that doesn’t make Kendrick is an all-world utility man.
Prior to 2016, Kendrick had played over 9,400 innings at second in his career, the most of any position he’s played by far (643 at first, 132 at third, along with his experience in left).
While there might be some potential for Kendrick to turn into a Ben Zobrist of sorts in the latter stage of his career, that shouldn’t be with the Phillies.
Kendrick is a stop-gap player. The Phillies would be wise to maximize his value by sticking him where he’s most comfortable, second base.
Jun 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) is out on a double play as Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) throws to first in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
If the Phillies want to play this thing safe, they’d be better off Maximizing Kendrick’s value.
From 2007-2014, Kendrick posted a 4.7 dWAR with the LA Angels. Playing across from shortstop Erick Aybar (7.1 dWAR during that span). In 2015 when the LA Dodgers acquired Kendrick, he entered the year with a new counter-part, former Phillies great, Jimmy Rollins.
The two never developed defensive chemistry, and both ended the year with a sub par -1.1 dWAR combined. Jimmy was on his last legs as an everyday player, and Kendrick was no longer with Aybar, it wasn’t a good match from the start.
Add in injuries to the Dodgers outfield and himself, and the acquisition of another Phillies icon, Chase Utley, and Kendrick suddenly became lost in the shuffle.
These circumstances are why Kendrick should play second in Philly. Having a rangy, sure-handed shortstop in Freddy Galvis should help Kendrick if he were to play second everyday. And he should, he’s a fine second basemen (.985 career fielding percentage from second).
Make Howie Comfy
Offensively, Kendrick had his worst offensive season in 2016 with an undefined role, and with majority of his playing time coming from left. He was never able to find a groove, and his numbers showed (.255/.326/.366 with a 90 OPS+) just that.
So while I do prefer the team to play Kendrick at second, the occasional switcheroo is fine. Whether its match-ups, injuries, or whatever the case may be. Showing off Kendrick’s versatility on occasion, in timely situations, is how the team should go about using him.
Kendrick is a smart player. He’s only committed one error in his time in left, he just simply doesn’t have the range (1.82 RF/9), or the arm (he’s has an average arm from second, a position already not known for strong arms) to be an everyday outfielder. But an occasional switch-up is fine.
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He’s a lock for regular at-bats. And that’s the main thing here. He’s a career .289/.332/.417 hitter, and despite his struggles he did finish with a career high 50 walks this past season.
If he plays about 75 percent of the time at second, with the other 25 percent coming at first and left, than the Phillies will have done their job in giving Kendrick a regular job, and at the same time (if he comes back to his career averages) maximizing his value.
Speaking of maximizing talent:
Jun 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies won’t say it now, but Cesar Hernandez is likely on his way out.
Howie Kendrick’s arrival should mean the departure of current second basemen Cesar Hernandez.
I’ve speculated on why the team would be wise to capitalize on Hernandez’s wild season in 2016.
CSNphilly insider Jim Salisbury reported on friday that the team was in fact looking to capitalize on Cesar’s season, and that his name is “hot” in trade talks.
GM Matt Klentak is a smart guy, he’s playing his cards right at this moment. Committing Kendrick to second base while Hernandez is still on the team would heavily decrease his trade value.
JP Crawford is close, Scott Kingery isn’t far away, Freddy Galvis is a defensive ace, and now Howie Kendrick is here to fill a need and open a door.
Hernandez has value now, he’s not versatile, has no place in the team’s future, and could potentially bring back something of value to the big league team now.
Again, this is my personal speculation, but Hernandez just seems like the odd-man out.
However, the Phils will need to replace Cesar’s second half production. So how can the team accomplish that?
Jul 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Royals, 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies could dangle Hector Neris as well as Cesar Hernandez to further progress the offensive development.
I recently touched on the Hector Neris trade speculation, and it makes total sense.
The team could move Neris while his value is at an all-time high for a proven big league bat, or some projectable arms.
For the sake of argument, lets say the Phillies trade Hector Neris to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Jorge Soler.
That would put (my) Phillies projected opening-day lineup at:
Odubel Herrera – CF
Roman Quinn – LF
Maikel Franco – 3B
Jorge Soler – RF
Tommy Joseph – 1B
Freddy Galvis – SS
Howie Kendrick – 2B
Cameron Rupp – C
No, this isn’t the sexiest lineup. However, it projects plenty better than last seasons, and it puts players in position to succeed. Not to mention, the Phillies have the resources to rebuild a bullpen on the fly, if they choose. Losing Neris shouldn’t be a huge loss.
The key to this lineup is this: it should be better, it should help the development of the young guys in there already, and it will open the door for top prospects J.P Crawford and Nick Williams for 2017 debuts (if ready).
Apr 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak before a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies would be wise to not stop here.
These are just my personal gut reactions from the Kendrick deal. However, I truly believe this is the route the club could be taking this offseason.
There’s bigger fish to fry in the team’s future, and these moves would at least put the future plans on the proper course, while improving the big-league team, and continuing to obtain value at the same time.
Regardless of how things turn out, there could be some big moves from the Phils soon. If one things a certainty, it’s that there will be plenty of rumors. Stay tuned for more.
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