Phillies acquire Howie Kendrick from Dodgers

The Phillies have acquired outfielder Howie Kendrick from the Dodgers for first baseman Darin Ruf and second baseman Darnell Sweeney, according to a team announcement.

According to recent reports, Kendrick preferred a trade out of Los Angeles as he desired a full-time job. He drew some trade interest from the Phillies and his former team, the Angels, during this week’s GM meetings in Scottsdale before the sides finalized the swap today.

Kendrick, 33, will take over in left field on a full-time basis for the Phillies, though he could see some time at second base if the Phillies trade Cesar Hernandez. Hernandez was reportedly a hot name in trade talks throughout last week and has drawn interest from clubs, including the Angels.

Kendrick hit .255/.326/.366 with eight homers with 40 RBI in 146 games in his second season with the Dodgers in 2016. He is under team control for $10 million next year before hitting free agency, giving the Phillies a short-term solution at second base while prospects develop.

Ruf, 30, has the ability to play first base and left field for the Dodgers, giving the club a right-handed complement to Adrian Gonzalez and an option to pair with Andrew Toles in left field. He hit .205/.236/.573 with three homers in 43 games with Philadelphia last year and is under control through 2020.

Sweeney, 25, returns to the Dodgers after being traded from Los Angeles to Philadelphia as part of the Chase Utley deal last summer. He hit .233/.299/.345 with six home runs in 118 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, with whom he spent the entire season.