The Washington Nationals are getting the gang back together as they prepare for perhaps their final season with Bryce Harper, signing valuable utilty man Howie Kendrick to a two-year, $7 million contract.
Two people familiar with the deal but unauthorized to speak publicly, told USA TODAY Sports that the deal, will be finalized once Kendrick undergoes and passes a physical this week.
It could be the Nationals’ last major free-agent signing unless one of the marquee starting pitchers’ asking price drops, the Nationals say, filling out their rotation.
Kendrick, who was acquired at the trade deadline last summer from the Philadelphia Phillies, will be used all over the field, being the primary backup second baseman to Daniel Murphy, and a part-time starting corner outfielder. Murphy, who underwent knee surgery in October, may not be ready by opening day.
Kendrick, 34, hit .293 with seven homers, 25 RBI, and had an .837 OPS in his 52 games with the Nationals.
He returns with relievers Brandon Kintzler, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson, all who were acquired last summer, along with starter Edwin Jackson, who was re-signed last week.
The Nats also signed free-agent Matt Adams in the offseason, who replaces Adam Lind.
Gallery: Top 2017-18 free agents
![RHP Yu Darvish]()
1 of 62![OD J.D. Martinez]()
2 of 62![RHP Jake Arrieta]()
3 of 62![1B Eric Hosmer]()
4 of 62![RHP Wade Davis (Signed a three-year, $52 million deal]()
5 of 62![3B Mike Moustakas]()
6 of 62![RHP Lance Lynn]()
7 of 62![OF Lorenzo Cain]()
8 of 62![1B Carlos Santana (Signed a three-year, $60 million]()
9 of 62![RHP Greg Holland]()
10 of 62![RHP Alex Cobb]()
11 of 62![SS Zack Cozart (Signed a three-year, $38 million deal]()
12 of 62![C Jonathan Lucroy]()
13 of 62![OF Jay Bruce (Signed a three-year, $39 million deal]()
14 of 62![OF Logan Morrison]()
15 of 62![LHP Mike Minor (Signed a three-year, $28 million deal]()
16 of 62![RHP Brandon Morrow (Signed a two-year, $21 million]()
17 of 62![1B Yonder Alonso (signed a two-year, $16 million deal]()
18 of 62![RHP Anthony Swarzak (Signed a two-year, $14 million]()
19 of 62![2B Neil Walker]()
20 of 62![INF Eduardo Nunez]()
21 of 62![RHP Addison Reed]()
22 of 62![RHP Bryan Shaw (Signed a three-year, $27 million deal]()
23 of 62![LHP Tony Watson]()
24 of 62![3B Todd Frazier]()
25 of 62![RHP Pat Neshek (Signed a two-year, $16.5 million deal]()
26 of 62![OF Melky Cabrera]()
27 of 62![RHP Brandon Kintzler (Re-signed with the Nationals]()
28 of 62![1B Mark Reynolds]()
29 of 62![LHP CC Sabathia (Re-signed with Yankees for one year,]()
30 of 62![OF Carlos Gonzalez]()
31 of 62![RHP Tyler Chatwood (Signed a three-year, $39 million]()
32 of 62![OF Jon Jay]()
33 of 62![RHP Juan Nicasio (Signed a two-year, $17 million deal]()
34 of 62![RHP Jhoulys Chacin (Signed a two-year, $15 million]()
35 of 62![C Welington Castillo (Signed a two-year, $15 million]()
36 of 62![RHP Steve Cishek (Signed a two-year deal, $13 million]()
37 of 62![RHP Andrew Cashner]()
38 of 62![OF Carlos Gomez]()
39 of 62![LHP Jaime Garcia]()
40 of 62![1B Adam Lind]()
41 of 62![RHP Yusmeiro Petit (Signed a two-year, $10 million]()
42 of 62![LHP Brian Duensing]()
43 of 62![RHP Tommy Hunter (Signed a two-year, $18 million deal]()
44 of 62![OF.INF Howie Kendrick]()
45 of 62![OF Austin Jackson]()
46 of 62![LHP Jake McGee (Re-signed with the Rockies for three-years,]()
47 of 62![RHP Trevor Cahill]()
48 of 62![1B Mitch Moreland (Re-signed with the Red Sox for]()
49 of 62![SS Alcides Escobar]()
50 of 62![SS Jose Reyes]()
51 of 62![1B Lucas Duda]()
52 of 62![!B Mike Napoli]()
53 of 62![LHP Jason Vargas]()
54 of 62![RHP Doug Fister (Signed a one year, $4 million with]()
55 of 62![3B Yunel Escobar]()
56 of 62![RHP Luke Gregerson (Signed a two-year, $11 million]()
57 of 62![LHP Fernando Abad]()
58 of 62![RHP Chris Tillman]()
59 of 62![RHP Jeremy Hellickson]()
60 of 62![OF Curtis Granderson]()
61 of 62![2B Chase Utley]()
62 of 62
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