UPDATE: Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com the team is not going to give up another draft pick, meaning Kendrick may no longer be on their radar.
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Last week rumors suggested the Arizona Diamondbacks were interested in free agent second baseman Howie Kendrick. Earlier today FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reported the two sides are having "ongoing discussions."
The D-Backs are looking to upgrade offensively and Kendrick will help them in that department. Arizona does have the 24-year-old Chris Owings at second base, but he batted just .227/.264/.322 with 59 runs scored, 4 home runs and 43 RBI in his first full MLB season in 2015. He previously logged 111 games from 2013-2014.
Kendrick, 32, has been regarded as one of the best offensive second basemen in the MLB since 2009. He hit .295/.336/.409 with 64 runs scored, 9 home runs and 54 RBI in 117 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. He rejected the Dodgers' qualifying offer, which means he has draft pick compensation tied to him (any other team that signs him must surrender their first-round pick to the Dodgers).
Last week we wrote Kendrick was a good fit for the Diamondbacks, but the draft pick compensation as well as the team's crowded infield pose fairly big issues. Arizona already surrendered a first-round draft pick to the Dodgers when they signed Zack Greinke. Also, the club has Owings as well as infielders Jake Lamb and Aaron Hill, which would create an even bigger logjam in the event Kendrick is signed.
Hill is the likely trade candidate because he's owed $12 million in 2016 before he hits free agency next offseason.
Still, it's fairly clear the D-Backs want to upgrade at second base since reports surfaced last month that they were attempting to trade for Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds. The offense from the middle infield duo of Owings and Nick Ahmed was inadequate on the top-scoring club in the National League.
MLB experts have projected Kendrick to land a three- to four-year deal in the $40-$50 million range, but there has been little progression on that front during the offseason.
"Kendrick's overall market remains unclear, largely because relatively few contending clubs are interested in upgrading at second base this winter," Morosi adds. "But the Los Angeles Angels -- who traded Kendrick to the Dodgers one year ago -- could be one such team."
If the talks progress with the Diamondbacks, Kendrick may either sign or set the benchmark for his future contract.
