Image Credit: SI.com
Just as one “Howie” ends his Phillies career, another begins his in the red and white pinstripes. On Friday, the Phillies acquired INF/OF Howie Kendrick from the Dodgers in exchange for 1B Darin Ruf and 2B Darnell Sweeney. It’s the Phillies’ second noteworthy addition of the offseason, after the club traded for and exercised the $6.5 million 2017 club option on righty reliever Pat Neshek a week earlier, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. The trade for Kendrick isn’t one that will turn too many heads, but it was a smart deal for a handful of reasons. For starters, the Phils gave up essentially nothing for Kendrick, a proven Major Leaguer and former All-Star. Here are a few more reasons to love the under-the-radar Kendrick trade. Veteran presence to young team With the departure of Ryan Howard, there are no remaining members of the 2008 World Series team still on the Phillies’ roster. As a result, the roster is made up of mostly young talent – and very few veterans. Kendrick, 33, brings 11 years of Major League experience to a team that will have no one else in its starting lineup over the age of 28 to start the 2017 season. Kendrick can help mentor the Phillies’ younger players and provide that veteran wisdom and knowledge that any rebuilding team so desperately covets. He can mentor a player like Maikel Franco, a fellow infielder, with both his defense and more specifically at the plate. Franco is a free swinger, so Kendrick, a patient, disciplined hitter, can work with Franco on his approach and swing selection. Franco is a native Spanish speaker, but he speaks English very well, so Kendrick won’t have an issue there mentoring one of the Phillies’ top hitters. In terms of his play on the field, Kendrick can lead by example. He’ll most likely hit second or fifth in the Phils’ lineup, either before or after Franco and Tommy Joseph, who should hit third and fourth, respectively. Kendrick’s presence alone in the lineup can take the pressure off the Phillies’ younger hitters who may try to do too much. The Phillies probably won’t be ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2017, but they very well could in 2018. After seeing what veterans like Mike Napoli and Coco Crisp, and Ben Zobrist and David Ross, for example, did for the Indians and Cubs this season, it’s easy to believe the veteran Kendrick can have his own positive influence on the Phils. Position/lineup flexibility After spending basically the entire first 10 seasons of his career at second base, Kendrick played 94 games (79 starts) in left field in 2016. Prior to this past season, Kendrick had only played 26 career games at the keystone. But with Chase Utley at second and multiple injuries to the Dodgers’ outfield in 2016, Kendrick found a new home in the outfield, becoming a more versatile player. He can also play first and third base in a pinch. Kendrick is a career .289 hitter and his bat is what has always kept him in the lineup, but his increased position flexibility will only help him moving forward. He’s been durable throughout his career, playing in at least 140 games in five of his last seven seasons. If he stays healthy in 2017, Kendrick will be a fixture in the Phillies’ lineup. Kendrick’s increased versatility will give Phils’ manager Pete Mackanin a few different options when filling out his lineup card. He’ll be able to play left or second any day of the week, and switch between those two spots mid-game if Mackanin wants to make a double switch. He’ll also be able to spell Joseph at first or Franco at the hot corner if absolutely needed. He’s by no means a super-utility player and won’t be used that way, especially at this point in his career, but Kendrick will be a key piece to the Phillies lineup in 2017 as a versatile defender. Additional trade options Kendrick will reportedly be the Phillies’ everyday left fielder in 2016, which is interesting given the team’s decent outfield depth. But if that plan sticks, Odubel Herrera will be in center with either Roman Quinn or Aaron Altherr in right. The better option might be to play Kendrick at second base, his natural position, so both Quinn and Altherr can get everyday reps at the corners. Quinn is the more promising player of the two, but Altherr has raw gap power and a strong arm, so the Phils will want to see what he can do in more action. If the Phillies do decide to play Kendrick at second, Caesar Hernandez becomes expendable, which is why the Phils are reportedly shopping Hernandez right now. In 2016, Hernandez batted .294 (161 hits) with six HR, 39 RBIs and a .371 OBP in 155 games – all careers highs. He hit consistently the entire second half and played solid defense as well. His value may never be higher, so the Phillies can sell high with the chance to bring back a solid return for a switch-hitting middle infielder that can help a contender. If the Phillies can’t find a trade partner for Hernandez, however, he’ll stay as the team’s starting second baseman, which would cement Kendrick as the starting left fielder and send either Quinn or Altherr to the bench, probably Altherr. That’s not a bad scenario either, as Hernandez could very well continue his breakout production moving forward. Either way, the trade for Kendrick gives the Phillies additional trade options.
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With the Hot Stove heating up and plenty of Major League teams already making moves, here’s a look at my top-5 free agents in this winter’s class. 5.) Dexter Fowler – OF Fowler proved in 2016 how valuable he is, both at the plate and in the field. He wasn’t one of the Cubs’ big middle-of-the-order thumpers, but he made that lineup go as the team’s leadoff hitter. A good leadoff man is incredibly valuable, especially one that can get on base consistently and has pop. This past season, Fowler hit .276 with 13 HR, a career-high .393 OBP, 79 walks and a solid .840 OPS, his best mark since 2012. He wasn’t among the game’s elite on defense, but Fowler patrolled center field well for the Cubbies, making six outfield assists and flashing above-average range. Fowler also used his speed to his advantage in 2016. “Daddy Long Legs” swiped a modest 13 bags and scored 84 runs, fueling the Cubs deep, lethal lineup. Fowler’s athleticism and well-rounded game make him one of the top free agents on the market this winter. Entering his age-31 season, Fowler should have no trouble landing a five-year deal in the range of $75 million. Potential Fits: Cubs, Rangers, Orioles, Indians, Nationals, Astros 4.) Edwin Encarnacion – 1B/DH Encarnacion wasn’t always the most-talked-about power hitter in the Blue Jays lineup the past few seasons, but he consistently produced and made a lot of noise with hit bat. As a first baseman/designated hitter, he’s essentially limited to signing with an American League team, but that doesn’t diminish his value at all given what he’ll bring to the team that signs him. This past season, Encarnacion batted .263 with 42 HR and a league-high 127 RBIs. He’s hit 42 homers twice in his last five seasons and has 34+ long balls and 98+ RBIs in five straight seasons. The three-time All-Star is undoubtedly one of the best power hitters in baseball, and although he’s on the back end of his prime years, he isn’t showing signs of slowing down yet. Entering his age-34 season, Encarnacion should get a solid three- or four-year deal with a high AAV, potentially in the $20-million range. Potential Fits: Blue Jays, Yankees, Tigers, Mariners, Red Sox, White Sox 3.) Yoenis Cespedes – OF Cespedes was one of the hottest names on the market last offseason, and he is once again after opting out of his three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets. The Cuba native brings serious power and a rifle of a throwing arm to whichever team signs him, and he’ll immediately make an impact in the middle of any lineup. Cespedes’ offensive numbers in 2016 were down a bit across the board, but he came on strong in the second half. He hit .280 with 31 HR, 86 RBIs and an .884 OPS and almost single-handedly carried the Mets’ offense after the trade deadline. He doesn’t have a ton of range but his arm is among the best in the Majors, so he provides value as a corner outfielder with the ability to play center field if needed. The fact that he’s performed well in the middle of a playoff run in consecutive seasons bodes well for Cespedes. He’s 31, but didn’t debut until he was 26, so he doesn’t have a ton of miles on him. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Cespedes land a $100+ million deal over five or six years. Potential Fits: Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Yankees, Mariners, Dodgers 2.) Kenley Jansen – RHP Jansen solidified himself among the league’s elite closers in 2016, converting a career-high 47 saves with a stellar 1.83 ERA in 68.2 IP. He struck out 104 batters with only 11 walks, good for a 9.45 K:BB ratio, and posted a career-best 0.67 WHIP. Jansen was the most important piece of the Dodgers’ pitching staff when Clayton Kershaw was out with a back injury, as he was almost automatic closing out games at the back end of a strong bullpen. He also proved he’s capable of working multiple innings a game and can come into a close game in the 7th or 8th inning and be a stopper, as evidence of his 2016 postseason performance. He’s only 29, and with a fastball touching the upper 90s, he’ll be one of the most sought after names on this winter’s market, especially with the starting pitching class so weak and dominant relievers in high demand. Jansen should easily cash in on a healthy five-year deal with an AAV around $13-$15 million. Potential Fits: Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, Nationals, Red Sox, Cubs 1.) Aroldis Chapman – LHP Chapman has been a top-three reliever since he came into the league and he’s in a prime position to cash in on a mega-deal this winter. In 2016, “The Cuban Missile” struck out 90 batters and posted a 1.55 ERA in 52 appearances over 58.0 innings of work. In his time with the Cubs alone, he converted 16 saves with a 1.01 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. Reaching triple digits on more than half of his pitches, Chapman’s fastball is arguably the game’s deadliest pitch. When he’s on it’s unhittable, and the southpaw also has a filthy slider. Like Jansen, Chapman proved he can work multiple innings and still be effective after racking up a high pitch count. He’ll be 29 when the 2017 season starts, so he’s young enough that he’ll still be effective long term, and there’s no telling how many prime years he has left. Mark it down now, Chapman will sign the richest contract for a reliever in Major League history this offseason, and he may get that $100 million deal he’s reportedly seeking, potentially over six or seven years. Potential Fits: Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, Nationals, Red Sox Other Top Free Agents: Jose Bautista – OF/3B, Ian Desmond – OF, Wilson Ramos – C, Mark Melancon – RHP, Mark Trumbo – OF/1B/DH, Justin Turner – 3B Image Credit: qz.com
Now that the 2016 Major League Baseball season has come to an end, here’s a recap of the best games of what was an exciting postseason. 5.) AL Wild Card Game – Blue Jays/Orioles This game was expected to be a slugfest between two of MLB’s best offenses, but it turned into a pitcher’s duel that went 11 innings. The Blue Jays went home winners thanks to a walk-off three-run blast from Edwin Encarnacion, but this game will be remembered for controversy, in more ways than one. Mid-way through the game, a Blue Jays fan threw a beer onto the field that almost his Orioles’ left fielder Hyun-Soo Kim. That’s not all. Zach Britton, All-Star closer for the Orioles and AL Cy Young favorite, did not pitch in the game. Buck Showalter instead decided to use a handful of other relievers out of his pen, and the O’s lost the game without their best pitcher entering the game. Nonetheless, it was a great game in its entirety. I mean, who doesn’t love a postseason walk-off home run? 4.) NLDS Games 3 and 4 – Cubs/Giants After Game 3, a lot of baseball fans were thinking the same thing: “Uh oh, the Giants’ even-year magic is happening again.” After dropping the first two games of the series and going down 3-0 in Game 3 thanks to a Jake Arrieta homer off Madison Bumgarner, the Giants used late-inning heroics to fight off elimination. With the Giants up two runs heading into the ninth, Kris Bryant tied the game with a homerun, which sent the game into extras. The Giants won on a Joe Panik walk-off hit in the 13th inning, in a game that featured 13 pitchers. The Cubs ended the Giants even-year title streak with a come-from-behind win in Game 4. San Fran jumped out to a 5-2 lead and looked well on its way to forcing a Game 5, but the Cubs rallied for four runs in an insane ninth inning to take the lead. Kris Bryant led off the inning with a single, Ben Zobrist hit a two-run double, Willson Contreras had an RBI single and the go-ahead run scored on Javier Baez’s RBI single. Aroldis Chapman mowed the Giants down in the bottom of the ninth, and the Cubs moved on to the NLCS. 3.) NLDS Game 5 – Dodgers/Nationals It’s a shame that this wasn’t a seven-game series, because it had all the makings of one. Game 5 looked like it was going to go to the Nats, as ace Max Scherzer was straight dealing and the Dodgers couldn’t figure him out. But Joc Pederson’s leadoff solo homer in the seventh inning sparked a four-run rally, and the Dodgers eventually held on to a one-run win. The mind games inside the game itself were wild. Dusty Baker used six pitchers in the seventh inning, while Dave Roberts made his share of pitching changes in the inning as well. In total, the seventh inning alone lasted over one hour, with six runs crossing the plate. That’s insane. But what was even crazier was Clayton Kershaw coming into the game in the ninth inning to get the final two outs on one-day’s rest, recording his first career save. 2.) World Series Games 3 and 5 – Cubs/Indians Aside from that incredible Game 7, these were the other two best games of the World Series. The Indians won Game 3, 1-0, while the Cubs won game 5, 3-2. Game 3 was as good as it gets pitching wise, as the Tribe used four pitchers to shutout the Cubs. Josh Tomlin gave the Indians a good start and with a runner on first and two outs in the fifth, Francona brought in his stopper, Andrew Miller, to get out of the inning. It was the Cubs’ last threat of the game, as they went down quietly after that. Coco Crisp’s seventh-inning RBI single plated the game’s only run, and the Indians won the way they had all postseason, with dominant pitching and timely hitting. Game 5 was the ultimate chess match. Joe Maddon and Terry Francona took turns making their strategic moves, giving everyone watching the game a headache trying to keep up with the lineup card changes. The biggest decision of the night came when Maddon, up one run and down 3-1 in the seires, brought closer Aroldis Chapman in for an eight-out save in the seventh inning. He got the job done and saved the Cubs’ season in the process. 1.) World Series Game 7 – Cubs/Indians In an already historic World Series, Game 7 between the Cubs and Indians will go down as one of the best postseason games of all-time. From Dexter Fowler’s leadoff home run (the first leadoff dinger ever in a Game 7), to Rajai Davis’ eighth-inning game-tying homer off Chapman, to the rain delay, to the Cubs winning their first championship since 1908, this game had everything. It was only fitting that a World Series between two teams with a combined 176-year title drought needed extra innings in a Game 7 to decide a champion. Ben Zobrist, the eventual WS MVP, drove in a run with an RBI double down the left field line in the 10th inning and Miguel Montero followed by knocking in what turned out to be the winning run with a single to left field. It was a long chess match between Joe Maddon and Terry Francona that had fans on the edge of their seats all night. The drama was unbearable and rightfully so, there was a lot at stake. No wonder it was the most-watched baseball game in 25 years, a game that ended with the Cubs’ winning their first World Series in 108 years. Honorable Mentions: NLCS Games 1 and 2 – Cubs/Dodgers, ALDS Game 3 – Indians/Red Sox, ALDS Game 3 – Blue Jays/Rangers |
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