Phillies Get Howie Kendrick For Sweeney, Ruf

THE DEAL

The Phillies, who are looking to add veterans on short-term deals, as they did with Pat Neshek, acquired Howie Kendrick from the Dodgers for Darnell Sweeney, who returns to Los Angeles, and Darin Ruf.

Kendrick has one year remaining on a two-year, $20 million deal he signed before 2016. Phillies general manager Matt Klentak knows Kendrick from the Angels, where Klentak was assistant GM. Sweeney went to the Phillies in the Chase Utley deal in August 2015.

The deal also helps clear a 40-man roster spot for the Phillies, although Ruf was likely to be designated for assignment, according to one report.

DODGERS ACQUIRE
Darnell Sweeney, if/of
Age: 25

Sweeney is headed back to the team that drafted him. A Dodgers 13th-round pick out of Central Florida in 2012, Sweeney broke into pro ball as a middle infielder, but he started to see time in the outfield in 2014. The Phillies acquired him in the trade that sent Chase Utley to Los Angeles (and in doing so forced Kendrick to move to the outfield in L.A.). after he was acquired for Chase Utley in August 2015. Sweeney’s best shot at significant playing time is as a versatile, speedy backup, and that’s what he’s done in 2015 and 2016 as he’s played second and third base, shortstop, center field and left field. Sweeney is an athletic player with above-average speed, so he’s a threat to steal bases, though he’s never been a high-percentage basestealer and he was thrown out in 10 of 22 attempts in 2016. He’s not great at any of the positions, lacking smooth infield actions or natural outfield instincts. His offense took a step back this season as well. He has some pop, but does not have a good two-strike approach.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Lehigh Valley (IL)	AAA	.233	117	395	48	92	17	5	6	35	37	99	12	.298	.347

Darin Ruf, 1b/of
Age: 30

Tommy Joseph’s breakthrough season—plus the emergence of Rhys Hoskins at Double-A—spelled the end of Ruf’s long tenure in Philadelphia. A 20th-round pick from Creighton in 2009, Ruf hit 35 homers in 737 major league at-bats, but his failure to make consistent contact limited his role. He does mash lefthanders—.299/.379/.542—so if he sticks with the Dodgers he could have a platoon role, although his skills are somewhat duplicative of Scott Van Slyke’s with less defensive value.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Lehigh Valley (IL)	AAA	.295	94	349	56	103	18	2	20	65	29	78	0	.357	.530
Philadelphia (NL)	MAJ	.205	43	83	8	17	2	0	3	9	4	25	0	.236	.337

PHILLIES ACQUIRE
Howie Kendrick, if/of
Age: 33

The Dodgers acquired Kendrick from the Angels in December 2014 for Andrew Heaney, but Kendrick asked for a trade after this season because he was reportedly unhappy with his diminished playing time in the postseason, not to mention his lack of desire to play multiple positions. The Phillies were thought to be acquiring Kendrick to move back to his longtime second base spot, but GM Klentak told MLB Network Radio that Kendrick will play left field.

“He is a hard worker, a great teammate and a true professional hitter,” Klentak told reporters.