It was a busy offseason for the Kansas City Royals. The defending MLB champions made a number of big moves, including signing starting pitcher Ian Kennedy. The five-year contract for the right-hander was announced on Friday.
The Royals confirmed the deal on Twitter and issued a press release.
It's official: #Royals have signed pitcher Ian Kennedy to a five-year deal. pic.twitter.com/UB47a54l3m
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) January 29, 2016
"Consistent with club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. To make room for Kennedy on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Louis Coleman has been designated for assignment," the press release noted.
Previous reports say the five-year pact was worth $70 million, but it appears as if Kansas City will wait to confirm that news. Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that the deal was heavily backloaded, with the right-hander making $7.5 million in 2016, $13.5 million in 2017, $16 million in 2018, $16.5 million in 2019 and $16.5 million in 2020. Kennedy also reportedly received an opt-out clause after two seasons, but based on his salary breakdown it's highly unlikely he exercises that clause when the time comes.
It appears as if the Royals are paying for his durability more than anything else.
"He became the only National League hurler to record 30 or more starts in each of the last six seasons in 2015, while he's one of just nine pitchers to do it in the Major Leagues," the team noted in the press release. His 192 starts since 2010 are the most in the Senior Circuit and tied for ninth-most in the Majors in that span."
Kennedy, 31, has spent nine MLB seasons with the New York Yankees ('07-'09), Arizona Diamondbacks '10-'13) and most recently the San Diego Padres ('13-'15). The right-hander rejected the Pads' qualifying offer this offseason with hopes of landing a long-term deal. He still did well for himself despite posting a 9-15 record with a 4.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 30 starts (168-1/3 innings) in his contract year.
His best campaign came in 2011 when he finished 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 198 strikeouts in 33 s tarts (222 innings) with the D-Backs. He finished fourth in the Cy Young voting and 14th in the NL MVP voting in just his second full season as a starter.
Kennedy marked the third big signing for the Royals this offseason. The club also inked reliever Joakim Soria to a three-year, $25 million deal and re-signed outfielder Alex Gordon to a four-year, $72 million contract.
