Reports: Dodgers acquiring 2B Howie Kendrick from Angels
The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired second baseman Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for pitcher Andrew Heaney, according to multiple reports. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com first reported that the Dodgers were acquiring Kendrick.
Heaney was acquired hours earlier from the Miami Marlins as part of a six-player trade that saw Los Angeles send second baseman Dee Gordon to Miami. The Dodgers then acquired Kendrick as Gordon's replacement.
Kendrick, 31, has played all of his nine seasons with the Angels and is a career .292 hitter, making one All-Star team in 2011. He put up a slash line of .293/.347/.397 last season with seven home runs and 75 RBI and is entering the final year of a four-year, $33.5 million contract.
Heaney, a left-handed pitcher, made his major-league debut in June. The No. 9 pick by the Marlins in the 2012 MLB draft, the 23-year-old went 0-3 with a 5.83 ERA in seven games (five starts) for Miami in 2014. In 47 career minor league starts, Heaney had a 2.77 ERA with 262 strikeouts in 259.2 innings.
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The Angels were in need of rotation depth with starting pitcher Garrett Richardslikely out until May after tearing his patella tendon in August.
Gordon, the son of former MLB pitcher Tom Gordon, hit .289 with 12 home runs, 34 RBI and a .326 on-base percentage last season and was named an All-Star. He led the majors with 64 stolen bases and 12 triples.
It was reported Tuesday that Los Angeles was open to trading Gordon because the Dodgers' new front office, led by former Tampa Bay Rays vice president Andrew Friedman, emphasizes a high on-base percentage.
Also included in the Gordon deal was starting pitcher Dan Haren, who has said he'd strongly consider retiring if traded to a team that wasn't close to southern California. Haren said Wednesday night he'd have to "evaluate my options carefully" before deciding on his future.
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Also on Wednesday, the Dodgers reportedly acquired shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies and were reportedly close to signing free agent starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year deal. The Dodgers had a need for a shortstop after Hanley Ramirezsigned with the Red Sox last month and had a need for a starter due to trading away Haren.
Heaney took to Twitter to thank the Marlins, express excitement at joining the Angels and make light of his situation.
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The Dodgers went 94-68 last season and won the National League West for the second straight year. The Angels went 98-64 and won the American League West, making the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
- Ben Estes
