Ian Kennedy drawing interest from Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers
By Aaron Somers
Ian Kennedy is starting to attract some interest on the trade market, suggesting that he could end up being the most likely pitcher that the San Diego Padres could move first. The team is known to be open to listening to offers on a trio of arms – Kennedy, Andrew Cashner, and Tyson Ross.
Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports noted that a pair of teams – the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers – have already expressed a possible interest in acquiring Kennedy.
Kansas City’s interest could make some sense, but they don’t appear up front like a likely fit in a deal with the Padres. The Royals have not ruled out bringing James Shields back, but a market has yet to really develop for the right-hander and is expected to become costly. Shields’ departure would leave a hole towards to the top of the Royals’ rotation. For a young team that surprised in 2014, they’ll surely target another veteran option to replace his innings. Kennedy could fit that bill quite well.
San Diego is primarily looking for offense in return, by all accounts, which is where things become a little hazy. Kansas City’s lineup is limited in power to begin with and there are few players that the club would likely consider moving without a logical replacement in place.
Texas is another club looking at upgrading their rotation, but they aren’t expected to be in play for the bigger names available on the open market.
Kennedy is projected to earn $10 million in his final year of arbitration. 2014 marked his fifth straight year making 31+ starts and throwing 181+ IP (he pitched 201.0 IP last season). For his career he’s posted a 3.93 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, and 8.2 K/9 to go along with a 66-53 record.