Howie Kendrick signs one-year deal to return to Nationals

The Washington Nationals are bringing back a key piece of their championship roster, as veteran infielder Howie Kendrick has agreed to a new deal with the team.

Kendrick will sign a one-year deal with the Nationals that includes a mutual option for 2021, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post first reported.

Kendrick's deal is expected to be for one year with a mutual option for 2021.

The Nationals need to fill out 1B and Kendrick is coming off a career year at 36 years old. He also provides depth at 2B when needed, another area of need for Washington.

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) December 6, 2019

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the deal is worth $6.25 million for next season.

Kendrick will turn 37 in July, but he had one of his best seasons in 2018. He played in 121 games for the Nationals and batted a career-high .344 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI and an OPS of .966, which was also the best mark of his career. He also had one of the biggest hits of the World Series.

The Nationals shocked baseball with their World Series run, and they apparently believe it was not a fluke. Their decision to keep a guy like Kendrick proves that.