Dodgers sign 2B Kent to two-year contract
December 9, 2004
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - With third baseman Adrian Beltre exploring free agency, the Los Angeles Dodgers ensured there would be plenty of power in their lineup by adding veteran second baseman Jeff Kent.
On Thursday, the Dodgers signed the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen to a two-year contract.
"Adding Jeff Kent to our lineup not only gives us another major offensive force, but it provides me with flexibility in the field," Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy said. "I've always admired his competitive nature from the opposing dugout and I'm very excited that he's now a member of the Dodgers."
The 36-year-old Kent has a lifetime .289 average with 302 home runs - including 278 as a second baseman - and 1,207 RBI in 13 seasons with Toronto, the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston.
Kent, who won the National League MVP Award with San Francisco in 2000, hit .289, slugged 27 homers and drove in 107 runs last season while helping Houston clinch the NL wild card.
The Southern California native hit three homers with seven RBI for the Astros in the NL Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. A veteran of eight playoff series, the four-time All-Star is a career .264 hitter with eight home runs and 21 RBI in the postseason.
"Jeff has established himself as one of the best offensive players in the game," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said. "He's a proven run producer with significant postseason experience and we expect him to be a huge part of the Dodgers offense next season."
Despite driving in over 100 runs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, Kent did not have his $9 million option picked up by the Astros, who elected instead to exercise a $700,000 buyout clause in his contract.
Although his range has been reduced with age, Kent was fourth among NL second basemen last season with a .989 fielding percentage.
Kent adds some much-needed pop to Los Angeles' lineup. Even with Beltre's impressive offensive season, Los Angeles was ninth in the NL in run production and managed to score just 12 runs against St. Louis in the NL Division Series.
Last season, the Dodgers received minimal production from second baseman Alex Cora, who is known for his defensive prowess. Cora hit .264 with 10 homers and 47 RBI and batted just .133 in the playoffs.
Updated on Thursday, Dec 9, 2004 7:46 pm EST
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=dodgerssignkent&prov=st&type=lgns
December 9, 2004
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - With third baseman Adrian Beltre exploring free agency, the Los Angeles Dodgers ensured there would be plenty of power in their lineup by adding veteran second baseman Jeff Kent.
On Thursday, the Dodgers signed the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen to a two-year contract.
"Adding Jeff Kent to our lineup not only gives us another major offensive force, but it provides me with flexibility in the field," Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy said. "I've always admired his competitive nature from the opposing dugout and I'm very excited that he's now a member of the Dodgers."
The 36-year-old Kent has a lifetime .289 average with 302 home runs - including 278 as a second baseman - and 1,207 RBI in 13 seasons with Toronto, the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston.
Kent, who won the National League MVP Award with San Francisco in 2000, hit .289, slugged 27 homers and drove in 107 runs last season while helping Houston clinch the NL wild card.
The Southern California native hit three homers with seven RBI for the Astros in the NL Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. A veteran of eight playoff series, the four-time All-Star is a career .264 hitter with eight home runs and 21 RBI in the postseason.
"Jeff has established himself as one of the best offensive players in the game," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said. "He's a proven run producer with significant postseason experience and we expect him to be a huge part of the Dodgers offense next season."
Despite driving in over 100 runs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, Kent did not have his $9 million option picked up by the Astros, who elected instead to exercise a $700,000 buyout clause in his contract.
Although his range has been reduced with age, Kent was fourth among NL second basemen last season with a .989 fielding percentage.
Kent adds some much-needed pop to Los Angeles' lineup. Even with Beltre's impressive offensive season, Los Angeles was ninth in the NL in run production and managed to score just 12 runs against St. Louis in the NL Division Series.
Last season, the Dodgers received minimal production from second baseman Alex Cora, who is known for his defensive prowess. Cora hit .264 with 10 homers and 47 RBI and batted just .133 in the playoffs.
Updated on Thursday, Dec 9, 2004 7:46 pm EST
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=dodgerssignkent&prov=st&type=lgns
