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Every Single 2020 Free Agent the Blue Jays could be Interested in

By Reuben Gasee

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays poses with new manager Charlie Montoyo who was introduced to members of the media and president Mark Shapiro on October 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays poses with new manager Charlie Montoyo who was introduced to members of the media and president Mark Shapiro on October 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 11: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Washington Nationals reacts against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 11: Howie Kendrick #47 of the Washington Nationals reacts against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Howie Kendrick

Surprisingly, Howie Kendrick, who is currently 37 years old, has had some productive seasons in the past few years. Since his age 30 season in 2013, he’s finished a season with a batting average of .290 or better six times including the 2017 and 2018 seasons where he batted over .300.

He dealt with a hamstring injury in 2020 that limited him to 27 games, but still batted a good .275 with an on-base percentage of .320 and a slugging percentage of .375.

His hamstring injury likely didn’t allow him to play at 100% but when he is fully healthy, he can really produce, which is shown by his 2019 slash line of .344/.395/.572. That 2019 season, he also hit 17 home runs and 23 doubles.

He had a good 2019 season at the age of 35 and 36, but he also did well in the playoffs that year slashing .286/.328/.444 with 18 hits in 17 postseason games. He became a hero in Washington when he hit a go-ahead two run home run in game seven of the World Series against the Houston Astros on the road.

In all of Kendrick’s career, which he’s been in the major leagues since 2006, he has put up a slash line of .294/.337/.430 with 127 home runs, 724 RBI, 354 doubles and 126 stolen bases although he rarely steals now.

Kendrick can play first, second, third and left field which would make him a very valuable bench piece for the Blue Jays if they were able to bring him, in which they would have to do so on a major league deal.

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