*Photo from NBC Sports*
Whether you're a good or bad team, you still need to sign players to fill out the roster. The Arizona Diamondbacks and RHP Ian Kennedy have agreed to a one year, $4.75 million deal, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The D-Backs have confirmed the deal.
This is Kennedy's second stint with the D-Backs, and first as a reliever. He was with Arizona from 2010 until partway through the 2013 season, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. Kennedy's 2011 season, one of the best of his career, came in a D-Backs uniform, with Kennedy as a starter. He shifted to the bullpen full time in 2019. His deal contains another $2.35 million in bonuses.
Last season, with the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies, Kennedy finished the season with a 3-1 record to go with a 3.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, striking out 62 hitters and converting 26 saves, throwing 56 1/3 innings across 32 appearances with the Rangers and 23 with the Phillies.
Across Kennedy's 15 big league seasons, he has a career regular season 100-106 record, with a 4.10 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, fanning 1,710 hitters and picking up 56 saves, including a 30 save season in 2019. Kennedy has 290 starts and 134 relief appearances. His only two playoff appearances came in the 2011 NLDS, making two starts and throwing 12 2/3 innings.
Before signing with the D-Backs to come back for a second time, Kennedy has been around baseball for a bit. In his career, he has suited up for the San Diego Padres, D-Backs, Rangers, Phillies, the Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees.
In Arizona, Kennedy figures to be the top setup option for Mark Melancon, who figures to be the closer this season. Kennedy and Melancon are the top signings of the offseason for the D-Backs, who are seemingly in a rebuilding stage.
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