As first reported by MLB Network, the Kansas City Royals agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with free agent starting pitcher Ian Kennedy early Saturday morning. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the deal includes an opt-out clause that can be used after two seasons.
The 31-year-old pitched for the San Diego Padres last season, and recorded one of the worst statistical years of his eight-year career. On his way to a lowly 9-15 record, Kennedy put up a 4.28 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP while striking out 174 batters. His WAR was -0.4. 168 1/3 innings. For his career, Kennedy owns a 75-68 record with a 3.98 ERA and 1,140 strikeouts.
Ian Kennedy to Join Royals
While Kennedy’s contract is among the cheaper of those handed out to free agent starters this offseason, the Royals shouldn’t expect much return on their investment. Kennedy did pitch his way to a 3.63 ERA and a decent 1.4 WAR just two seasons ago in 2014, but that season seems more like an anomaly at this point. Kennedy has found himself with an ERA north of four in three of the past four seasons, and 2014 marked the first time since 2012 that he graded out with a positive WAR.
Kennedy has spent time with three teams since entering the league in 2007. He entered the Major Leagues as a New York Yankee, and pitched for the Bronx Bombers for three seasons. In 2010, Kennedy suddenly found himself an Arizona Diamondback after being sent to the desert as part of a three-team deal that included the Detroit Tigers. In 2013, the D-Backs traded him to the Padres.
Beyond any doubt, Kennedy’s best season came in 2011, his second season with the Diamondbacks. That year, he won twenty-one games, while recording just four loses, while striking out 198 in 222 innings. All of those numbers, in addition to his 2.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, represent career-bests.
Though Kennedy has yet to even resemble that pitcher in years since, one thing he has not lost is his durability. He has made thirty or more starts in each of the last six seasons. While Kennedy is by no means a replacement for Johnny Cueto, who departed Kansas City for the San Francisco Giants earleir in the offseason, he has the ability to be a solid piece in the rotation. For the relatively cheap contract he signed, the Royals may have found something of a bargain.
The team has yet to officially announce the signing.
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