The Los Angeles Dodgers traded second baseman/outfielder Howie Kendrick to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf and second baseman Darnell Sweeney.
Sweeney was included in the August 2015 trade with the Phillies that netted Chase Utley. Friday’s trade is the third between the Dodgers and Phillies since that deal. Reports of Kendrick’s unhappiness grew louder in recent days, and the veteran’s preference was said to be traded.
After a quiet 2015 offseason, Kendrick re-signed with the Dodgers in January on a two-year, $20 million contract. Utley’s emergence at second base pushed Kendrick to left field.
His role was further diminished by the emergence of Andrew Toles. Kendrick batted .255/.326/.366 with 26 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBI over 146 games. His .691 on-base plus slugging percentage was the lowest of Kendrick’s career.
Ruf, who will likely serve as depth with Triple-A Oklahoma City, hit .205/.236/.337 with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in 43 games (17 starts) with the Phillies in 2016.
The 30-year-old batted .294/.356/.529 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 95 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Ruf is a career 299/.379/.542 hitter with 17 home runs against left-handed pitching in 318 Major-League plate appearances.
In the Majors, Ruf has appeared in 139 games (92 starts) at first base, one game at third base, 76 games (64 starts) in left field and 29 games (27 starts) in right field.
Sweeney, who spent all of 2016 in Triple-A, hit .233/.299/.345 with 17 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 35 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 119 games. Sweeney made his MLB debut last season, appearing in 37 games and making 21 starts.
He was 15-for-85 during that span, with four doubles, one triple, three home runs and 11 RBI. Sweeney was selected by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2012 Draft.
With an apparent need at second base on the horizon, Los Angeles has been linked to Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers and Brian Dozier of the Minnesota Twins. Trade speculation figures to ramp up with Kendrick no longer on the Dodgers’ roster.
