Kansas City Royals Ian Kennedy Not Planning to Opt Out
By David Hill
Ian Kennedy has the option to opt out of his contract with the Kansas City Royals after this season. Given his performance, the Royals starter is planning on staying in town.
When the Kansas City Royals signed Ian Kennedy to a backloaded five year contract prior to the 2016 season, it included an interesting opt out clause. If exercised, the Royals would have paid Kennedy a grand total of $21 Million over two years as Kansas City sought to keep their playoff window open. While he may not have been the star he was expected to be, Kennedy was a solid middle of the rotation innings eater, capable of throwing 200 or more innings.
In his first season, Kennedy was exactly what the Royals had hoped for. He posted an 11-11 record with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.221 WHiP, striking out 184 batters against 66 walks in his 195.2 innings. While the Royals failed to make the postseason, Kennedy did the job he was expected to.
He started off this season on fire, going 0-2 despite a 2.30 ERA and a 0.989 WHiP in April. However, from that point, he imploded. Heading into today’s action, Kennedy has a 4-10 record, along with a 5.47 ERA and a 1.338 WHiP. His home run issues have been magnified, as he allowed 28 homers in 130 innings, despite playing in the cavernous Kauffman Stadium. This was easily the Royals worst case scenario.
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This performance has not been lost on Kennedy. Likewise, he is fully aware that he has a decision to make when it comes to his opt out clause. At this point, it appears as though Kennedy has already made up his mind, saying that “it would be pretty stupid if [he] did” exercise that provision in his contract.
Kennedy is absolutely correct with that statement. He is currently due to receive another $49 Million over the next three seasons, a salary that he would not be able to get as a free agent. At this point, the Royals can only hope that he has a strong month of September and changes his mind, or that this campaign is a blip on the radar.
That salary due to Kennedy could also lead to some tough decisions for the Royals this offseason. Players like Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, and Lorenzo Cain are set to become free agents. The bullpen is in shambles. Kansas City will have a lot of holes to fill, and may need every dollar possible to do so.
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Ian Kennedy’s awful season could not have come at a worse time for the Kansas City Royals. All they can hope for is that he returns to form next season, as he is likely to decline his opt out.