Can Nats convince Kendrick to return as bench player in 2018?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Howie Kendrick, a trade deadline acquisition who delivered for two months but then saw little action in the playoffs.

PLAYER REVIEW: HOWIE KENDRICK

Age on opening day 2018: 34

How acquired: Traded from Phillies for McKenzie Mills, July 2017

MLB service time: 11 years, 91 days

2017 salary: $10 million

Contract status: Free agent

2017 stats: 91 G, 334 PA, 305 AB, 40 R, 96 H, 16 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 12 SB, 5 CS, 22 BB, 68 SO, .315 AVG, .368 OBP, .475 SLG, .844 OPS, -4 DRS (in LF), 1 DRS (at 2B), 1.6 WAR

Quotable: "He's very important. We knew Howie. He's been an everyday player most of his career, and he doesn't complain. He stays in the game, he keeps the guys up on what's up, what's happening in the game. Howie's willing to do anything and play almost anywhere, and he's hit all over the lineup." - former manager Dusty Baker on Kendrick

2017 analysis: For all the attention placed on improving the Nationals bullpen this summer, general manager Mike Rizzo's late-July acquisition of Kendrick from the Phillies was nearly as important to the club's fortunes the rest of the way. The versatile veteran was tearing the cover off the ball in Philadelphia, and he didn't miss a beat upon moving down to Washington.

The Nationals needed Kendrick, because Jayson Werth required three months to return from his left foot injury, and because Bryce Harper and Brian Goodwin got hurt on successive nights in mid-August. He not only started in left field but also saw time in right field, handling the unusual situation well.

Through his first 27 games in a Nats uniform, Kendrick hit .348 with five homers, 21 RBIs and a 1.003 OPS, instantly becoming a fan favorite. He did fade down the stretch, however, and hit only .227 with two homers, four RBIs and a .639 OPS over his final 25 games.

Expected to be key bat off the bench in the postseason and possibly challenge Werth for playing time in left field, Kendrick wound up a non-factor. He got only three plate appearances in the National League Division Series, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. He never appeared in the do-or-die Game 5 loss to the Cubs.

2018 outlook: Kendrick was a two-month rental for the Nationals, which is why he came so cheap. He's now a free agent, but you have to think the Nats are going to make some kind of play to keep him in town.

Even though the 2018 starting lineup already appears set - with Adam Eaton returning from injury to take Werth's spot in left field - there should be ample playing time for someone of Kendrick's skill. Daniel Murphy may not be 100 percent healed from his recent knee surgery come opening day, making second base at least something of a question mark. Eaton, of course, still has to prove he can come all the way back from a torn ACL.

The question is whether Kendrick will be tempted by the prospect of more playing time from another organization. Surely there are clubs out there willing to commit a starting job to the 34-year-old. That might be more enticing for him than a return to the Nationals bench.