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Detroit Tigers free agency primer: Howie Kendrick is ideal free agent addition

By Ben Rosener

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Howie Kendrick #4 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run against of the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 26, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Howie Kendrick #4 of the Washington Nationals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run against of the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 26, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 09: Howie Kendrick #4 of the Washington Nationals hits a solo home run in the first inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 09: Howie Kendrick #4 of the Washington Nationals hits a solo home run in the first inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

At the plate

While Kendrick’s versatility in the field adds value, the longtime Major Leaguer also turned in a strong offensive season in 2017.

The veteran hit .315 with a .368 on-base percentage, a .475 slugging percentage, a .844 OPS, a .361 wOBA, a .161 ISO and a 121 wRC+ in 334 plate appearances.

He also tacked on nine home runs, 12 stolen bases, 40 runs scored and 41 RBI.

That was partly fueled by a .378 BABIP, but it showed that Kendrick still has life in his bat after a down 2016 campaign that saw him bat .255 with a .326 on-base percentage, a .366 slugging percentage, .691 OPS, a .303 wOBA, a .111 ISO and a 90 wRC+ in 543 plate appearances.

That season, Kendrick’s BABIP was a more mundane .301.

The reality is that the utility player probably isn’t going to turn in another .800 OPS. For as successful as his career has been, the 34-year-old had just one before 2017.

Still, he probably isn’t going to clock in with a sub-.700 OPS like he did in 2016 with a .691 OPS.

He’d also give the Tigers another option to plug in atop the team’s lineup. Outside of Kinsler, there aren’t any locks to hit in front of Cabrera.

If the Detroit Tigers are able to sign a versatile defensive player like Kendrick—who ends up posting a .700s OPS and develops into a trade chip—to a one-year deal, it would be an ideal situation for the franchise.

Next: Should Tigers trade away arbitration eligible players?

Even more ideal if the team is able to flip him for a future Major League piece at the trade deadline

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