Howie Kendrick Re-Signs with Dodgers on 2-Year Deal

Free-agent second baseman Howie Kendrick drew interest from multiple teams before deciding to stay in Los Angeles on Friday.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a two-year deal with Kendrick. Jon Heyman of MLB Network confirmed the report and noted the deal is worth $20 million.

Earlier Friday, Rosenthal reported the Dodgers were interested in signing Kendrick, although he cautioned that the team already had Chase Utley and Enrique Hernandez ready to slot in there. Rosenthal added the team wouldn't get a compensatory pick if Kendrick returned to Los Angeles and noted the team was weighing that against the production Kendrick provided.  

Heyman reported the Diamondbacks were also a team to watch for Kendrick.

Kendrick is a tough out who will be a consistent performer night in and night out. In his 10 years in the league, he's only batted under .285 once.

He will provide a solid presence toward the top of the Dodgers lineup, as he does pretty well to get on base. In seven of his 10 years in the majors, Kendrick has had an on-base percentage of .330 or higher.

A bat like Kendrick who could get on base regularly before those two could give the Dodgers more opportunities to score. Battling in the National League West with the San Francisco Giants and their stacked pitching, Los Angeles could use the kind of pseudo small-ball style Kendrick brings in order to grind out some runs. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.