Mike Puma of the New York Post writes that Howie Kendrick is viewed as a potential fit for the Mets next season.

Kendrick, despite being derailed by injuries this past season, still hit .315/.368/.475 with nine home runs and 41 RBIs that led to him having a 121 wRC+ with the Phillies and Nationals.

The 34-year old has always been a solid hitter, with a .291/.334/.421 career slash line that gives him a career 107 wRC+.

Defensively, Kendrick was once considered a strong defender at the keystone with a career-high 10 defensive runs saved in 2011 with the Angels.

However, his defense has declined over the years with a career-low of -12 defensive runs saved in 2015 with the Dodgers. Despite this, he managed to put up one defensive run saved this past season, but in a very limited same size of 15 games.

In 2017, he moved around between the keystone and the outfield, where he compiled -4 defensive runs saved.

So, while defense might not be his best feature, he is not terribly below average at the keystone to the point where the Mets would not be able to play him there.

So what would it cost to sign him?

Jon Heyman of the FanRag Sports Network projected that he would receive a two-year, $16 million contract this off-season. However, the expert Heyman co-wrote the article with projected Kendrick would only receive a one-year, $7 million contract.

In a free agent market that still has a lot of top options available in January, the second number has started to become a more realistic deal for the one-time All-Star that is past his prime.

While the Mets are still pursuing bigger options in the infield, such as Mike Moustakas, Josh Harrison, and Todd Frazier, Kendrick represents a much cheaper option that could allow for more financial flexibility in other areas of need.

Kendrick also could be an option in a bench role too, even if the Mets choose to acquire one of the three names mentioned above.

The Mets currently only have four outfielders on their 40-man roster and Michael Conforto is likely to miss the first month of the season after receiving shoulder surgery last year.

Kendrick would be able to start in right field and then shift to a super-utility role upon Conforto’s return to the lineup.

The second baseman could prove to be a solid addition to the club and could give the team more flexibility in their pursuit of other options next season.