MLB trade rumors: 5 players the Blue Jays should acquire

3. Howie Kendrick

Although he has played in only 27 games this season, the Philadelphia Phillies will have no issue finding a trade partner to take Howie Kendrick off their hands. Of all the players on expiring or one-year deals — Kendrick, Michael Saunders, Jeremy Hellickson, Clay Buchholz — the Phillies have stockpiled for the trade market, Kendrick may give them the best return on investment. He is a solid, veteran hitter with postseason experience.

Kendrick is batting .321/.379/.462 on the year with seven doubles and two home runs. Since returning from the disabled list on May 29, he is batting .313/.370/.448 with both of his home runs. Kendrick, with his career .290/.333/.418 line, is as professional a hitter as they come. His contact-oriented approach at the plate may not always be explosive, and he does not draw many walks, but Kendrick can be counted on to deliver a quality at-bat every time up.

The Blue Jays should also be interested in Kendrick for his positional versatility. While not a great defender, he can play second base, third base, first base, and left field. That would give the Blue Jays the ability to give Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista some extra days at DH in the second half. Toronto can ill afford to lose either to an injury for an extended period of time.