By Jon Weisman
If the Dodgers were prepared to move into the 2016 season without Howie Kendrick, it’s also clear how happy they should be that he’s coming back.
The 32-year-old second baseman has signed a two-year contract to reunite with the Dodgers, whom he provided a .336 on-base percentage and 109 weighted runs created last season.
The immediate impression is that Kendrick is the player who solidifies the Dodger infield. His return frees Chase Utley to spend more time supporting Justin Turner at third base and Kiké Hernandez to roam around the field as he did in 2015. Kendrick himself might dabble in the hot corner.
Though Opening Day is nearly nine weeks away, and Spring Training and injuries will certainly shuffle the deck, here’s how the Dodger roster of position players currently shapes up:
- Catchers: A.J. Ellis, Yasmani Grandal
- Infielders: Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chase Utley
- Infielder-outfielders: Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez, Scott Van Slyke
- Outfielders: Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig
- In the wings: Austin Barnes, Micah Johnson, Trayce Thompson, plus the non-roster invitees
An above-average player for each of the past five years, Kendrick is a nice one to say hello to again.
jpc40
The starting position players and bench seem good if not great-seemingly better than last year. Pederson and Puig need to live up to expectations and Corey neds to survive the hype
It’s the starting pitching that is the problem. After Kershaw there is hope. Unfortunately hope is not a plan
At least Donnie Biy is gonme. That should be goos for 5-10 victories alone. The Marlins should besent a Sympathy Card from all the Dodger fans. Teir loss is our gain
Mark Hagerstrom
Hope may be a word to use in connection with Ryu and McCarthy, but even without them our bevy of starters is stronger than what we had last year
Mark Hagerstrom
Perhaps Clayton said it better at the FanFest as regards Greinke, “It’s not easy to replace a guy like that but I think you have to look at it as not replacing him with one guy but replacing him as a staff – bring in more guys that can fill his void – and I think we’ve done that.”
Don Bright
One of, if not both of Guerrero and Crawford won’t make the OD Roster, unless injuries to others happen. No way Dodgers go with these 14 and only carry 11 pitchers.
While I like the depth this team has, I’m just not positive, and maybe I’m just jaded about it, that this is a WS caliber offense. The pitching if it’s healthy to me is, but that in itself is a question mark every team has to face and can’t be predicted too much.
All that said, I’m ready for baseball to start.
oldbrooklynfan
The re-signing of Kendrick, to me, was the best news all winter. I feel a lot more confident with him than without him.