fbpx

Dodgers Rumors: Howie Kendrick’s Contract Includes Deferred Salaries

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read

UPDATE (Feb. 5, 1:00 a.m. PT): According to the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Dodgers will make the pair of $5 million deferred payments to Howie Kendrick on Dec. 15 in 2018 and 2019:

Kendrick’s deal includes annual salaries of $10 million, but half is deferred without interest. He will get $5 million payments on Dec. 15 in 2018 and 2019.


The Los Angeles Dodgers added to a deep crop of infielders by officially announcing the re-signing of Howie Kendrick to a two-year contract on Thursday.

The veteran second baseman spent last season with Los Angeles, though rejected the club’s one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer at the outset of free agency.

Although he will turn 33 years old in July, Kendrick figured to have a strong list of suitors given the shortage of elite talent on the open market at his position.

However, as Ben Zobrist found a home in Chicago, and Daniel Murphy signed with the Washington Nationals last month, there was little action to speak of on Kendrick’s front. The Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly had interest, but were hesitant to lose another draft pick.

The quiet offseason eventually led to the Dodgers and Kendrick reuniting. According to Jon Heyman, the team-friendly contract includes $5 million in deferred salaries for two years beyond the lifetime of the deal:

Los Angeles also deferred salary in their three-year, $48 million contract with Scott Kazmir. However, the southpaw can opt out of the deal after the 2016 season.

Kendrick hit .295/.336/.409 with nine home runs, 54 RBIs, a .325 wOBA and 109 wRC+ in 117 games last season. He missed 34 games over August and September due to a strained left hamstring.

While Kendrick returns to play second base, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated some time at third base may be in Kendrick’s future as well. He’s played just one game at that position over his 10-year Major League career.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com