Even after re-signing outfielder Alex Gordon, the usually frugal Royals took another shot in the free agency market and signed starting pitcher Ian Kennedy.
According to MLB Network, the sides agreed on a five-year, $70 million contact. Fox Sports reports the deal includes an opt-out after two seasons.
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Kennedy, 31, went 9-15 with a 4.28 ERA, 1.295 WHIP, 174:52 K:BB ratio in 168 1/3 innings in his third season with the Padres.
However, his 9.3 K:9 ratio was second only to David Price among free agents. He was also hit with a high .310 BABIP. Kennedy has the potential to throw over 200 innings in a season, helping keeping the shut-down bullpen in Kansas City rested for another World Series run.
Essentially Johnny Cueto’s replacement, Kennedy will likely slide into the No. 3 spot in the rotation behind Edinson Volquez and Yordano Ventura for the defending World Series champions.
Kennedy broke out in 2011 with the Diamondbacks, finishing fourth in Cy Young voting after a 21-4 season with a 2.88 ERA, which was impressive considering Chase Field is a hitter's ballpark. Over his past three seasons with the Padres, Kennedy was 26-30 with a 3.97 ERA.