Daily Dodger in Review: Adam Kennedy was here, noticed or not

ADAM KENNEDY, 35, infielder

Final 2012 stats: .262 batting average, two homers, 16 RBI, 22 runs, .345 on-base and .357 slugging percentages in 168 at-bats.

Contract status: Free agent.

The good: Proved fairly versatile, playing second and third, and even a touch of first base, while starting in five different spots in the batting order. Hit .356 in his abbreviated second half.

The bad: Hit only .228 the first half, batting just .179 in his first 26 games. Had six errors in 56 chances. Hit .210 with runners on base. Still has that curious upper-cut swing.

What’s next: He turns 36 next month and is coming off three consecutive sub-par years. He doesn’t figure in the Dodgers’ plans next season, but is expected to still try and hook up with a team as a utility infielder.

The take: Kennedy never could seem to find his place with the Dodgers. He had his fewest at-bats since his first season with the Angels in 2000, and seemed to struggle with a diminished role.

It wasn’t that he necessarily hurt the Dodgers, he just never lifted them much. He was a solid, veteran guy to have around, but a long ways from a necessary part. Just without much impact.

He went on the disabled list twice with a strained groin. He had his best stretch of the season between DL assignments, batting .333 in 29 plate appearances before returning to the disabled list for the rest of the season Sept. 11.

There clearly may be some more there, but the Dodgers are already stacked with versatile infielders, so if he has a future, it’s elsewhere.

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