MLB Trade Rumors
Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Ian Kennedy has nestled very nicely into the closer’s role of the Kansas City Royals bullpen. His career has been marked with inconsistency, as he was never the most dominant starter- having very solid years and years with strange stats.
He was overall a very solid starter- middle of the rotation with an ERA floating around 4- yet he could not find that level of production in the rotation any longer for the Royals. He was slotted into the bullpen and soon became the regular closer for the struggling Royals.
KC would likely have to absorb some of his salary for the remainder of 2019 and 2020, as he is signed at a salary of $16 million before he becomes a free agent in 2021. That is, of course, the only way they will get any kind of return for the right-hander.
If they then opt for the cheaper approach, they may not find a suitor at all. If they agree to take on about half of the salary, they will get something- although not much of value- back and get a salary relief for next season as they continue on their path of rebuilding.
Kennedy would be valuable to a club because he not only offers reinforcement to the bullpen but to the starting rotation, in need be, as well.
Destinations: Brewers, Phillies, Braves, A’s