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MLB Hot Stove: Diamondbacks attempt to make room for Howie Kendrick

By Matt Whitener

Oct 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) is congratulated by first base coach Davey Lopes (15) for hitting a single during the third inning in game two of the NLDS against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) is congratulated by first base coach Davey Lopes (15) for hitting a single during the third inning in game two of the NLDS against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Interest in free agent Howie Kendrick is legit, but the road towards signing him is complicated.

Apparently, the Arizona Diamondbacks are not done trying to close the gap between themselves and the Los Angeles Dodgers….by acquiring former parts of the Dodgers.

After making the big splash to pull Zack Greinke away from their divisional rivals earlier in the winter, are making overtures for another former divisional foe. Reports on Monday have the Arizona brass attempting to clear roster space in their middle infield as part of an effort to have a clear path to acquire second baseman Howie Kendrick. The 32-year-old Kendrick is one of the last substantial players remaining in the free agent pool, and represents a fit for the Diamondbacks who are looking to fortify their everyday lineup after focusing heavily adding starting pitching this offseason.

Kendrick, who swapped LA teams prior to the 2015 season, hit .295 along with nine home runs and drove in 54 runs in 117 games with the Dodgers last season.

Despite their desire to bring Kendrick aboard, there are some complications in doing so currently on the D’Backs roster. Chiefly is the presence of veteran Aaron Hill, who is due $12 million in the final year of his contract, which is likely to be the type of deal that Kendrick could command as well. Hill’s production has gone south mostly since signing the deal back in 2013. He has posted a .238/.290/.359 split line since the beginning of 2014, and lost much time last season to Chris Owings, who produced a .227 average himself.

Another complication is that the Diamondbacks would have to surrender another high draft pick (39th overall) to acquire Kendrick, as they have already sent their first round pick to LA as compensation for signing Greinke. This would be potentially the second pick they send to a divisional foe, which is potentially prohibitive. The team has also traded away their 2014 first rounder (and #1 overall pick) Dansby Swanson to acquire Shelby Miller this offseason as well.

If the GM Dave Stewart can find a home for one or the other of his club’s incumbent second basemen, an aggressive move for Kendrick should follow immediately.

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