ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Change of scenery best thing for Ian Kennedy?

May 16, 2013, 4:57 PM | Updated: 6:46 pm

There’s no denying Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy has not been the same player he was in 2011.

Then the team’s ace, Kennedy posted a 21-4 record to go along with a 2.88 ERA and fourth-place finish in the Cy Young voting.

Since then, the right-hander has gone 17-15 with a 4.20 ERA, looking more like a number four starter than a number one.

Who is the real Ian Kennedy, and how much is he worth?

Over at MLBTradeRumors.com, the question of if the 28-year-old could benefit from a change of scenery.

Kennedy, 28, has a 4.88 ERA, 7.2 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 1.14 HR/9, and 38.8% groundball rate in 55 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks this year. Strikeouts are down and walks are way up, which is concerning. Earning $4.265MM this year as a first-time arbitration eligible player, Kennedy is at the top of the salary scale for his service class, a pace that might slow a bit with an off-year. He’s under team control through 2015, and since he is represented by the Boras Corporation, there’s a good chance he reaches free agency when eligible. He is a good candidate for a change of scenery, and if there’s one GM who might trade his Opening Day starter midseason while contending, it’s the Gunslinger.

Arizona’s rotation has a 3.68 ERA, sixth-best in the league even with Kennedy’s 4.88 ERA covering about 22% of their innings. The readiness of Triple-A pitchers Tyler Skaggs, Randall Delgado, and Zeke Spruill would have to be a factor in considering a midseason trade of Kennedy. None of them seem ready to fill Kennedy’s shoes, as an innings eater who should be able to post a sub-4.00 ERA from here on out if the walks come down. However, as a ready pointed out in the comments, Daniel Hudson should return from Tommy John surgery in July, which could provide the needed depth to trade Kennedy.

Indeed, the D-backs are still rather deep with arms in the farm system, and at some point may need to open up a spot in the rotation for someone like Skaggs, Delgado or even, down the road, Archie Bradley. And depending on Kennedy’s future salary demands, he may end up pricing himself out of the D-backs’ range.

Then again, unless he starts looking more like the pitcher he was in 2011 and not the pitcher he has been since, there may not be many willing to offer the type of big bucks that are usually given to the game’s better hurlers.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

2 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

17 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

23 hours ago

Bryce Jarvis #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch during the second inning in the game ag...

Vincent DeAngelis

Bryce Jarvis starting season in long reliever role for Diamondbacks

Twenty-six-year-old Bryce Jarvis will start the 2024 season in a long relief role for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

23 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Reports: Diamondbacks, LHP Jordan Montgomery agree to terms on contract

The Diamondbacks and big-ticket free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports on Tuesday. 

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Zac Gallen says Diamondbacks are ready for opponents’ best daily

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the excitement surrounding his second straight Opening Day start for the Snakes, and the overall excitement the team has for the coming season.

2 days ago

Change of scenery best thing for Ian Kennedy?