Looks like Howie Kendrick's tenure with the Angels may not last beyond this season.
According to a report by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Angels may look to shop the veteran second baseman in order to acquire badly-needed pitching.
The 30-year-old Kendrick was the subject of multiple trade rumors this past season at the July 31st trade deadline, however, the Angels instead ended up dealing Alberto Callaspo to Oakland for second baseman Grant Green.
A career .292 hitter over eight seasons with the Halos, Kendrick batted .297 in 2013 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 122 games. He is due to make $9.35 million in 2014 and $9.5 million in 2015.
Rumored destinations for Kendrick include Kansas City, which is in desperate need of a second baseman after the failed experiment of Chris Getz, and Baltimore, who have Brian Roberts coming off the books and an unwillingness to bring him back because of his injury history. However, the Royals may not be a fit for general manager Jerry DiPoto as they lack the arms that he would seek in any deal.
Mark Trumbo has also been the subject of trade speculation. The 27-year-old slugger hit 34 home runs and had 100 RBI in his third full season. While the Angels would probably prefer to keep one bat in the lineup that has been consistent from a power standpoint, his arbitration eligibility would likely result in a payday in the $8-10 million range.
Also, with a healthy Albert Pujols returning, Josh Hamilton in year two of his massive deal and the emergence of Kole Calhoun as a much better defensive option in right field as well as being a capable offensive threat, Trumbo may very well be in the same situation that Kendrys Morales found himself at this time last year before he was dealt to the Mariners for Jason Vargas.
