Royals, Rangers Have Interest In Pitcher Ian Kennedy

The current American League Champion Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers reportedly have interest in starting pitcher Ian Kennedy, per sources from ESPNDallas.com and MLB Trade Rumors. Kennedy looks to be the most interesting because of his price tag and how durable he was in 2014. Kennedy pitched 201 innings in 2014, the third-most of his career and still finished 13-13 with virtually no offense in San Diego last season. Kennedy will turn 30 entering his final year of his contract and arbitration eligibility, where he’s expected to make $10 million next year.

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The Royals will probably be on the outside looking in for Kennedy. Per Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Royals would have to give up some offense in order to receive Kennedy, which the Royals don’t have a lot of depth in. The Rangers on the other hand, seem like the favorites, mainly because of current Padres general manager and former Rangers employee A.J. Preller’s relationship with the team.

The Padres in return need a veteran bat or future depth in the organization.

Other starters that could be on the move are Tyson Ross, free agent Josh Johnson  if he resigns with San Diego, and Andrew Cashner. Stay tuned to Friars On Base for more updates!