KC Royals: Ian Kennedy contract shaping up to be worst in team history

The KC Royals can’t be pleased with the contract they issued to Ian Kennedy in 2016. They gave the starting pitcher a five-year deal worth $70 million and he has not lived up to it at all.

After winning the World Series in 2015, the Kansas City Royals wanted to stay relevant and make the most out of their final two years with their core players. That offseason they went out and brought in free agents. Not only that, but they gave those free agents BIG contracts.

One such big contract they gave out was to starting pitcher Ian Kennedy, who had just finished up a three-season tenure with the San Diego Padres. Kennedy had the reputation of being an innings eater throughout his career and that was the hope with bringing him to Kansas City.

With $70 million guaranteed over the next five years, Kennedy had a lot to prove. He has yet to really step up and be a true top rotation option though and midway through his third season as a Royal, it’s clear as day just how bad this contract truly was.

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In 2016, Kennedy’s numbers weren’t bad, but the 33 home runs he surrendered were a bit much. The Royals wouldn’t make the playoffs that season despite hitting stretches where they looked pretty good. Injuries were that team’s undoing.

In 2017, Kennedy was bad. He started 30 games with an ERA of 5.38 and recorded just five wins on the year. He dealt with some injuries that season, so the hope was that he was struggling due to those injuries.

This season has been the same story for Ian Kennedy. In 12 starts so far this season, Kennedy has posted a lousy 6.08 ERA and recorded just one win. Oh yeah and that whole innings eater thing is inaccurate this season, as Kennedy has pitched just eight innings in his last two starts.

When the KC Royals offered Ian Kennedy the five-year $70 million deal in 2016, they certainly didn’t have these results in mind. The team hoped they could get into the playoffs in both 2016 and 2017 with Ian Kennedy serving as one of their top rotation options.

Instead, they’ve missed the playoffs both years and Kennedy has become the weak link of the rotation. He’s had just four decent starts this year and watching him pitch has become hard to watch.

We can argue that Alex Gordon‘s contract is worse, but at least he’s been better this season AND can contribute defensively. Kennedy’s one job is to pitch and he’s been lousy at it the last two years.

If Ian Kennedy can’t figure it out on the mound, his deal may very well go down as the worst contract in Kansas City Royals history.

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