Nats sign Kennedy to one-year deal
Unable to get free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, the Nationals wasted little time moving on to their next option to fortify their middle infield for the 2010 season.
The team agreed late last night to a one-year deal with former A's second baseman Adam Kennedy, who will likely start at second base, keeping Cristian Guzman at shortstop and giving Ian Desmond more time to polish his defensive skills at Triple-A Syracuse.
Kennedy's deal is for one year at $1.25 million, with a $2 million club option option for 2011. It came just hours after Hudson -- the team's first choice on the free-agent middle infield market -- signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.
Kennedy hit .289 with 11 homers and 63 RBI for Oakland last year, also stealing 20 bases. He started 78 games at third base for the A's and 49 at second base.
By advanced defensive metrics, Kennedy rated as a below-average fielder last year, regressing from a career of solid defensive numbers. But at a position where Washington had precious few options for an everyday starter, Kennedy at least gives them that.
He is a lifetime .277 hitter, and was the MVP of the 2002 World Series with the Los Angeles Angels.
The deal is pending a physical. Once it becomes official, the Nationals will have to remove a player from their 40-man roster to make room for Kennedy.
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Categories (click for archive)Ben Goessling | Nationals News |
Ben,
How much better does this make the Nats realistically?
I know they had next to nothing before this signing but what is the major upside to this?
Is this a better signing then Hudson, I know their numbers are similar but what about in the clubhouse?
With such a low cost signing will they go after Smoltz and Wang harder now?
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I don't think this is an "upside" signing so much as a proven commodity at second base. Desmond wasn't going to be that, and Guzman seemed less than thrilled with the idea of switching positions. So this gives them a sure thing, or as much of one as there still was on the market.
As for the clubhouse aspect, adding Kennedy can't do anything but help, I don't think. He's got a ring, and he's played for winners most of his career. That's a common theme among the guys they've brought in this year -- Rodriguez, Bruney and Marquis have also played for a number of winning teams. They've added four guys with rings this offseason. Ryan Zimmerman has talked a lot about the Nationals needing to learn how to win in the majors -- or at least learn to stop doing the things that lose games. You've added guys who have been to the top and can talk about what it takes to get there. I think that's an important thing to point out, and it's something I know Mike Rizzo values.
Ben
IMO, all this does is block a promising young player from getting valuable major league experience, and makes the MI defense even worse than last season. pretty disappointed.
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Yeah, Dave, I think that's certainly a viable way of looking at it. I don't know if the defense will be worse--Kennedy's numbers before last season were pretty decent--but it will block Desmond, that's for sure. There have been a lot of moves this offseason to improve the major-league team now, which could be partially in response to the slow development of the farm system.
One thing I'd say, though, is that we shouldn't rule out the possibility of trading Kennedy in July or August. With a cheap contract and the ability to play multiple positions, he could have some value to a contender if the Nats are out of it. If he's hitting .280 with a few homers and playing decent defense, I could see him moving in time to take a long look at Desmond late in the year.
Ben
I love this signing. Kennedy and Hudson are basically the same players. I hope all of Hudson's "friends" on the team bring Kennedy on-board the same way they would've with O-Dog.
Given this signing, Rizzo definitely should go after a proven veteran starter. Wang is my preference, as it gives the prospects a bit of time to establish themselves in the majors before Wang's ready to come back. Then when he does, if a prospect or 2 are ready for the majors, we can at least limit their innings for this year with Wang on board. Smoltz would also be a nice addition, however, I believe he'll only sign in June/July with a team that's projected for the postseason (hopefully the Nats will be in consideration).
With Kennedy, I like our opening day lineup
Morgan CF
Guzman SS
Zimmerman 3B
Dunn 1B
Willingham LF
Dukes RF
Pudge C
Kennedy 2B
Marquis P
I think that rather than blocking Desmond, it gives him more time to get ready and prove that his September callup wasn't a fluke (given his .259 career minor league batting average with only moderate power). If he does show he's ready, then I think perhaps it is Guzman who gets traded. He can bring more in return than Kennedy, and it's unlikely that he's any better defensively at 2B than Kennedy is. Plus, Kennedy actually wants to play 2B, while Guzman does not.
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The thing that's going to be prohibitive with trading Guzman is his contract. If it's in August (he should clear waivers without much problem), the Nats could eat part of the remaining value and trade him then. But I don't see them moving him without agreeing to pay part of his contract. If they can do it, though, you're right that it makes more sense to trade him than Kennedy, who's got an affordable option for 2011. The only thing with Kennedy is, his contract would also make him more attractive to another team. It'll be interesting to see how that all plays out.
Ben
Ben;
Wow that was quick! I gather Rizzo had plan B in motion once word leakerd out that the O-Dog was going north. Kennedy at a minimum buys time.
Strictly from a development standpoint, do you think that the Nats will move Desmond to second at AAA so that he can work on the position while waiting for Espinosa to make the jump from A to AA and then AAA. My guess the problem is, Guzman's contract is up at the end of the season (thank the lord) and so they will need to keep Desmond at short in AAA and let him team up with Kennedy for 2011 if Espinosa is just not ready. Now doubt that the farm system just has not developed as rapidly as management had hoped.
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I'm going to get into some of this in a soon-to-be-published blog post, but I think that's possible. Don't forget about Jeff Kobernus, though; last year's second round pick is a good option at second base for the future. If that's the way they go, it makes a competition between Desmond and Espinosa that much more likely. If Desmond is in the minors most of this season, there's a high likelihood Desmond and Espinosa will arrive in the majors at the same time. This is a big year for both of them.
Ben
I like the signing. I would have liked Hudson's presence and reputation but I feel that if anyone is ever benched during the playoffs shouldn't expect more than 3 million a year especially if that someone who replaced him used to play for the Nats...
So I am glad Rizzo didn't allow Hudson to push him around. Rizzo has definitely plugged many holes that we had from the Bowden era. This will keep the youngsters down for a year or 2 but no one wants to rush these guys anyway. Desmond could still get the SS position with a great spring training. It would certainly give Rizzo some tough decisions.
I wish Guzman would just go away but I trust Rizzo just wants to Desmond to improve his defense and no better place than the minors. Consistency at defense is pretty important with 162 games a year, especially with a predominantly groundball pitching staff. The signing doesn't guarantee a World Series but I am looking forward to many competitive games and not worrying about Alberto Gonzalez or a Cristian Guzman experiment.