MLB Free Agency Rumors: Howie Kendrick Drawing Early Interest From Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB free agent season is now open and teams are scrambling to find the perfect player to sign. After a surprisingly good 2019, one player who is gaining interest is veteran Howie Kendrick.

According to Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic, there are at least two potential suitors for the utility man, the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays, MLB Trade Rumors reported.

Kendrick slugged his way to a .344 batting average, .395 on base percentage and an OPS of .572 in the season in which he turned 36. However, he really turned some heads once he got to the playoffs.

The Florida native smashed a grand slam in game five of the NLDS to win the series for the Washington Nationals before knocking another home run in game seven of the World Series to help his team to the summit of the baseball world.

Kendrick’s four doubles and four RBIs in the NLCS also earned him the series MVP award. Being 36, Howie Kendrick was held to just 370 plate appearances in 2019, so teams cannot count on him to be an everyday player.

However, Kendrick can still play a limited role at second base and corner outfield and still hits the ball just about as hard as anyone in the bigs. All this has garnered him the aforementioned interest from both Miami and Tampa.

The Marlins would make a good fit as he would upgrade their offense almost immediately, even if he wouldn’t be an everyday player. Kendrick would probably be a stop-gap solution in a few areas and serve as a pinch hitter/defensive replacement otherwise. He would also get them valuable veteran leadership on a young and rebuilding team.

Meanwhile, the Rays are surely looking at Kendrick as a combination DH/first baseman first and foremost. However, the veteran could also fill in at other places on the diamond when injuries and fatigue set in during the long season.

Ghiroli also reports that Howie Kendrick is seeking a “short-term” contract. That suggests either one or two years and MLB Rumors estimates he should net somewhere in the region of $6 million annually.