Howie Kendrick told reporters last July that he was excited about the trade with the Philadelphia Phillies that brought him from an NL East also-ran to the division’s first-place Washington Nationals.
“As players I think that’s what we live for,” Kendrick said. “to make it to the postseason and have an opportunity to win championships.
“Last year, being on the other side with the Dodgers playing the Nationals, we ended up beating them in the opening series, but at the same time, being able to come here and have an opportunity to play in the postseason again and hopefully make it to the World Series, what more can you ask for?”
Kendrick apparently decided he wanted another shot at winning in the nation’s capital after the Nationals lost to the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS last October.
The 2-year/$7M deal the veteran infielder/outfielder signed strengthens the Nationals’ bench and gives the 34-year-old an opportunity to potentially play postseason baseball for the eighth time in what will be his 13th major league campaign.
NATS BEAT:
Howie Kendrick Returns to Nationals on 2-Year Deal
"Kendrick’s new deal with the Nationals reportedly includes incentives which could max out at $9.25 million over two years."
Howie Kendrick re-signs with Washington Nationals for two years
"Kendrick rejoins a Nationals bench that features names such as outfielder Brian Goodwin, first baseman Matt Adams, shortstop Wilmer Difo and catcher Pedro Severaino. The Nationals added Adams in December."
This, by the way, feels like a big deal. Nats replace Lind and Kendrick with Adams and Kendrick, and can effectively slide Difo into Drew's place. So the bench is roughly back to where it was in October, which is a good place for it to be. https://t.co/zT5g3bcBDg
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) January 15, 2018
Nationals re-sign Howie Kendrick to two-year deal, checking another box on their list
"Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just less than a month and, after the Kendrick signing, the Nationals have addressed almost all of the needs they had entering this winter."
Nationals, Howie Kendrick agree to deal
"Filling out the bench was a key priority for the Nationals entering this offseason, and Kendrick adds to the club's strong set of reserves."
Source: Kendrick returning to Nats on two-year deal
"Turns out the Nationals’ midseason acquisitions last summer weren’t rental players after all."
NATIONAL(S) BEAT:
Howie Kendrick agrees to two-year deal with the Washington Nationals
"The Kendrick signing fulfills general manager Mike Rizzo's desire to further upgrade the team's bench."
The #Nats say it’s quite possible that Howie Kendrick’s two-year, $7 million deal could be their last free agent signing before spring training camp opens. https://t.co/9hlh39kJRp via @USATODAY
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 15, 2018
2018 MLB Preview: Washington Nationals
"2018 looks to be the year Robles is unleashed on the fantasy baseball world. He was a top 10 prospect entering 2017 and is currently the #3 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline."
The Nationals have a ton of fantasy baseball talent. What will 2018 bring? @federalbaseball https://t.co/wysr7f5fy4
— Fake Teams (@faketeams) January 15, 2018
NL EAST UPDATES:
Rhys Hoskins enjoying ride as face of Phillies
"Rhys Hoskins has handled new celebrity about as well as anybody could be expected to handle it.
He is trying to enjoy the moment, while remaining true to himself."
Why Adrian Gonzalez can bother the Mets’ clubhouse
"With the Dodgers last season, Gonzalez raised eyebrows by traveling to Italy with his family during the NLCS instead of remaining with the team, after a recurring back injury had sidelined him from the roster."
Inbox: Will Marlins trade Realmuto, Yelich?
"From what I've gathered, after Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon and Marcell Ozuna were traded, the Marlins' intentions were to keep Yelich, Realmuto, and we can add Starlin Castro to that group."
Braves fans ask about club's young pitchers
"General manager Alex Anthopoulos has inherited this team in the fourth year of its rebuild. It's still too early for him to confidently predict a postseason run."