KC Royals: Ian Kennedy to bullpen right move for rebuilding Royals
The KC Royals made the decision to move Ian Kennedy to the bullpen. While Kennedy is expensive, this is still the right move for the Royals to make.
Three years ago, the Kansas City Royals wanted to continue to stay competitive and why not? They had just won the World Series and were making a point to actually bring in decent free agents for the first time in a long time.
One of those decent free agents brought to Kansas City was Ian Kennedy, who was inked to a massive deal worth $70 million over five years. The Royals are three years into that deal and it’s safe to say it’s been one of the worst free agent contracts in KC Royals history.
What made Kennedy appealing to the Royals at the time was that he was a known innings eater. That has not been the case during his time in blue. The most innings Kennedy has thrown in a single season while with the Royals has been 195.2, which he did in his inaugural season in KC in 2016.
Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy will start the season out of the bullpen, manager Ned Yost tells https://t.co/6TSm0LW2wY. Story coming.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) March 19, 2019
Since then, the highly paid Kennedy has struggled with injuries and command. He had a 4.66 ERA last year and the season prior, his ERA was well over five. That is not what the Royals expected when they gave this guy $70 million three years ago.
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The decision to move Ian Kennedy to the bullpen could be met with mixed reviews, simply due to how much he’s making, but it really is the best decision for the organization moving forward.
Kennedy will be on the team this year and next year and then his contract is off the books. He won’t be a part of the team when they’re hopefully contending again, so why have him in the starting rotation now?
The Royals need decent arms in their bullpen, as that was an area that struggled immensely last year. Kennedy not only provides a serviceable arm, but he can mentor some of the younger guys who might be thrust into the bullpen come Opening Day.
It’s been reported that Homer Bailey is getting what would have been Kennedy’s spot in the rotation. While Bailey is only on a one-year deal and likely won’t be with the Royals long-term, at least if he pitches at a high level, he can be traded. Kennedy won’t be a trade worthy option due to his salary.
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It’s a shame that Ian Kennedy hasn’t lived up to the bill, but if he can provide some type of spark out of the bullpen this year, maybe we won’t look back on the deal as badly in the future.