Time to Try and Sign Adam Kennedy to a Two Year Deal?

by OmahaHi on Jul 11, 2009 7:31 PM PDT

He's on pace for career Hi's (if he played in his high of 156 games, which of course he can't) in H, HR, RBI, TB, BB, SB, OBP, and close in OPS, SLG, D and R.

He's 33 and for whatever reason (desperation?) seems to have found the motivation and magic formula to play at his peak. In Oakland of all places. I think the key is whether he can hold down 3rd. He's played about 100 innings without an error so he's probably not going to give many games away. I'm not sure on his range or arm, maybe someone else can give me a scouting report on him playing 3rd looking forward a few years.

What's he worth? What could we sign him for? going off his prior numbers the last few years and the fact he was in minor league ball at the start of this year I would think we may be able to sign him to a two year deal at around 7 million total. Cheap enough. Not a big gamble if It does not work out considering our low, low payroll. Under-payed considerably if he stays hot. Mark Ellis @ 5.5 million a year is probably his ceiling if he stayed at second. If he sticks at 3rd and keeps up the miracle of career year/s he could command more.

We would be buying high but at that price, if he is consistent at 3rd I think it would be worth it. Now if he will not sign for that amount by the trade deadline, or If the A's do not think he is in there plans he should be traded now why he has max value. Of course that goes for 6-7 players on the team right now. Get anything you can for them if they are not going to be playing in Oakland next year.

Poll

Do you think the A's should sign Kennedy to a two year deal before the deadline for around 7 million?

yes. at that price its worth a chance

46 votes

no, he's going to revert to avg soon enough, move on and try some youngsters.

93 votes

yes, but only for less money, say 2 million a year.

36 votes

no,sign him to a one year deal at end of season if he stays hot.

40 votes

215 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

No, no, and no.

Adam Kennedy is having an incredible run. We need to sell high to someone. It’s more than likely he will come back down to earth. We should only resign him to a one year incentive laden deal if we don’ trade him by the 31st.

No.

by Orodawg on Jul 11, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions

Very interesting thought.

My A’s friends and I have been talking about this upcoming offseason and our black hole of suck on the left side of the infield.

My thoughts are this:

With all the money coming off the books this offseason – Crosby, Holliday, Cabrera, and a Giambi option which should be declined – the A’s have the ability to make a splurge if they want to.

The shortstop FA crop is terrible, and that’s part of why I want the A’s to give Pennington a legitimate shot next year, with Petit as the reserve MIF/competing for the SS job.

But at third base, you basically have three guys who could be considered legitimate starters that are FAs:

-Joe Crede
-Adrian Beltre
-Chone Figgins

Kennedy will come a lot cheaper than those three guys. And if we extended him before the off season, we’d probably get a slight discount, too.

I think I prefer your Kennedy idea to any of those three guys considering the price difference. Crede/Beltre/Figgins will all be wanted by multiple teams, and none of them would have any reason to prefer Oakland, which means the A’s would have to give the best offer. And that probably translates into an overpay for three guys who are risky investments.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Jul 11, 2009 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

I think the Hannahan trade...

is some indication that one of those FA 3b splurges is happening, even if it’s a small-scale Adam Kennedy one.

The team was clearly unwilling to enter next season with Hannahan #1 on the depth chart, and they couldn’t possibly be banking on Chavez for next year (could they? yikes).

So…who’s next year’s opening day 3b?

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Jul 11, 2009 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions

It's why Figgins makes sense

IF (and that’s a HUGE IF) Chavez can actually play, Figgins can start at a variety of places and fill in at 3rd when Chavez goes down again.

CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."

by DMOAS on Jul 11, 2009 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

The A's are not going to overpay for Figgins or anyone else.

In the last 10 years, what good FA hitter have we signed that wasn’t an aging vet or reclamation project on the last legs of there career? We’ve resigned a few of our own (Chavez for one) but none came.

But we never tried to sign anyone in the last ten years you say?

We all like to have this pipe dream that with all this money we will have, we can get a monster FA to come to Oakland like its our choice. Our choices are average first time FA’s who showed promise or trades or prospects.

Even if we were willing to overpay a little, Figgins or any other big time FA in there prime ei 27-32 would likely avoid Oakland because 1) the probable offensive drop will lower the value of there next contract, 2) there fame and endorsements will suffer and 3) the city of Oakland does not offer anything special to make up for 1 and 2. We would have to overpay alot and I don’t see it.

by OmahaHi on Jul 11, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Kennedy is a great utility player,

who if he’s your starting 3Bman you know you’re not contending for anything. Whether it’s by trade, FA, or drafted players, the A’s need to find a 3Bman a lot better than Kennedy for the next season they actually intend to win anything, like games.

In other words, IMO Kennedy as a starting 3Bman is nothing more than “filler” while you suck. As a utility player, though, I like him a lot because he’s smart and plays the game right — a good backup for a legitimate 3Bman and for Ellis, in the way that Crosby…isn’t.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 11, 2009 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I hear ya

I don’t think Kennedy can play shortstop though. My hope is that Petit and Pennington get a chance to Royal Rumble for the starting SS job next year, with the loser becoming the backup MIF. Then they can push each other all year long.

My planned depth chart for next year:

1b: Barton (I don’t really care for LaRoche and Nick Johnson (FAs), in part because I think they’re both bad defenders.
2b: Ellis
SS: Pennington
3b: FREE AGENT SPLURGE, or trade acquisition
backup MIF: Petit
DH: Cust

OF: Hairston, Cunningham, Buck, Sweeney, Davis

That’s 13 guys when you count the two catchers.

Maybe Davis won’t survive that long. I like him as a fifth OF/defensive replacement/platoon for Sweeney?/pinch-runner. If he’s the 5th OF, it allows Cust to put away his glove forever and focus on getting back to hitting the way he did the previous two years. He’s also about as good of a character guy for the 25th spot on your roster that you could possibly have.

On the other hand, the team might need a second backup infielder. My hope is that when some of these brittle oldies (Giambi, Garciaparra) are replaced by youth (Barton, Petit, and Pennington) that only one backup infielder will be needed.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Jul 11, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't mind having Kennedy

as the 14th fielder, backing up all 4 infield positions in a pinch. But if he’s re-signed it needs to be with the understanding that that’s his role. But odds are, in that role, he’d play a LOT.

CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."

by DMOAS on Jul 11, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

What about Everidge?

Couldn’t he fill the 3B hole in your depth chart for much less money?

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 11, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I think we need to retire the Everidge as 3B hope

He played at third a couple times but he was by all accounts very bad defensively and has been moved back to 1B/DH. I think if the A’s felt he had any reasonable chance of sticking there he would be playing 3B in Sacramento rather than Eric Patterson.

I know we are desperate for at thirdbaseman and the fact that Everidge has stood on that side of the field in the past means that this idea will keep popping up. But we should consider the likelyhood of Everidge playing 3B in the majors to be about the same as Daric Barton’s chances of manning the hot corner. It’s an idea that won’t die on the message boards but probably shouldn’t be too heavily invested in.

by OkayJay81 on Jul 11, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

He played 3B every day in Midland before getting sent to Sacto...

So it wasn’t just a quick experiment. I just think they want to see if Patterson can play 3B, to add to his 2B/OF list of positions he’s comfortable at.

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 11, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions

He's played third this year,

and all of 18 games last year.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Jul 12, 2009 1:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Right.

But it wasn’t like with Barton, where he got a few starts and then moved back to first. Everidge was an everyday 3B in Midland from August 2008-June 2009.

Obviously, Baisley and Hannahan are better at third than Everidge, so they got the starts at third. When Hannahan was in MLB, Everidge played 3B in Sacramento.

Plus, look at what Jake Fox did for the Cubs while Ramirez was out. Everidge could do the same thing. Plus, Everidge is best used in a LHP platoon role, so he only hurts you defensively about one in every three games. Put in a plus defender like Pennington against RHPs and you get average D from 3B.

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 12, 2009 4:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Well if by everyday

you mean 27 out of 55 games then I guess your right. The fact is he played less then half his games in Midland at 3B. In AAA, Patterson has only been tried at 3B in the last week and Everidge has been there for over a month.

For a team that has been desperate for a 3B prospect for a while now I think if Everidge had shown some aptitude for the position he would still be playing there.

by OkayJay81 on Jul 12, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

And speaking of Everidge...

Anyone else notice he wasn’t in the lineup today? Could he have been called up now that there’s a 40-man spot open post-Hannahan?

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 11, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Not that I want to look TOO far into the future...

… but what is the free agent crop for 2011 when Chavvy’s contract comes off the books? Above sentiment rightly points out that Hannahan’s departure indicates that the front office is looking for other options at 3B. But I suspect that 2010 won’t see a magical leap forward for either the young talent at the major league level, nor the young talent at the lower levels; it’s perhaps more likely that only marginal improvements will be made instead. So, is serious contention possible (excluding, of course, big-time trades and the like)?

So maybe you sign Kennedy for 1 year to back up Chavez when he inevitably breaks down. Then splurge in 2011? ’Cuz frankly, I want none of the above of the 2010 FA options.

by Joey C. on Jul 11, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Cardenas will be at 3B by then.

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 11, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I appreciate the confidence

But the way some of the hot prospects have struggled at the big league level, perhaps the A’s need a Plan B.

by Joey C. on Jul 12, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions

We'll see that in 2011...

No sense worrying about it in 2009. Between now and then, Cardenas will get a shot. If he hits, great. If not, then think about Plan B in two years.

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 12, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

You're kidding right?

So, if Cardenas fails, we don’t worry about it until 2 years down the road… then we have nothing to fill the position and wait another 2-3 years? The reason we’re stuck at 3B now is that we “didn’t worry about it”.

In 2008 I was watching a team that was rebuilding. In 2009 I feel like I'm watching a team that just sucks.

by UncleLeo on Jul 13, 2009 6:51 AM PDT up reply actions

There's also Tejada and Glaus

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery

by mikeA on Jul 11, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree that third is the main hole to fill for next season, shortstop secondary,

but Beltre or Glaus are by far my favorite options. Glaus’ shoulder is a concern, I worry about Tejada’s bat (would prefer him as a SS) back in the AL and the coliseum, Crede won’t be able to stay on the field and Figgins is a tier below Beltre/Glaus in talent level. I worry about Beltre’s shoulder too, but I haven’t heard anything about his issue being a previous condition like Glaus’. So much depends on how they look for the remainder of their seasons and which teams go hard after them.

Beltre/Glaus> Figgins>Tejada>Crede

Baseball isn't magic.

by rebus on Jul 12, 2009 2:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh, and I forgot to add... if they're going to spend, then spend.

I don’t want to see some halfway solution like Kennedy being brought back to start at third. The poor man’s options are silly when there are only a couple of spots to fill. That’s Orlando Cabrera PT 2.

Baseball isn't magic.

by rebus on Jul 12, 2009 3:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Crede wouldn't be a bad bet if he can be had for cheap.

Good D and a little power from the 3B spot.

Some motherfcukers are always trying to ice skate uphill - Blade.

by OldhamA on Jul 12, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Since Ellis is back next year

why not something like;

1B: Someone
2B: Ellis
3B: Cardenas
SS: Petit

Don't believe in yourself.
Believe in Me who believes in You.

by Zonis on Jul 11, 2009 9:49 PM PDT reply actions

Seems like:

But who?
OK
Not ready
Can’t hit

And unless the 1Bman is kick-ass, the whole infield is basically:

Can’t hit.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 11, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Again, why not Everidge at the hole?

In this case 1B. He and Barton would make a kickass platoon.

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 11, 2009 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, and +1 on Petit not hitting.

Pennington is a much, much better option.

I’m hoping that Billy trades Holliday for an MLB-ready MLB infielder, like Brandon Wood.

by Nathaniel Stoltz on Jul 11, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Brandon Wood = DO NOT WANT!!!

Of course he’s putting up good numbers in AAA. He’s old for AAA, and he’s really overrated. If the slegnA brass isn’t starting him somewhere in MLB while Erick Aybar (the slegnA version of Gregorio Petit) and Maicer Izturis start at 2B and SS, there’s a HUGE problem. They just want to sell high on him.

Now, I do want a MLB ready infielder, but I’ll still take getting best value possible over filling a position.

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

Free Travis Buck.

by Blicks on Jul 12, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Wood is 24

Brandon does have issues: Ks and the Angels brass hating him are two big ones. But his age in AAA is not one. 24 is average. Then again, his defense isn’t that bad (even at SS) and he does have power. Tons of it. I’d take him.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Jul 12, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Aybar's a pretty damn good defensive SS, no?

I think Petit could be a very useful player for us too, but he’s not been given a shot for whatever reason.

Some motherfcukers are always trying to ice skate uphill - Blade.

by OldhamA on Jul 12, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Also, Beane may be setting the table for one big trade.

Like Holliday to the Braves or Cards or Reds and getting someone for the left side of the infield.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Jul 11, 2009 10:24 PM PDT reply actions

Oh no.

Kennedy will get a larger deal in the offseason than what the A’s should offer. His numbers are so wonky its unpredictable. He was an awful offensive player, but great defensive player prior to this year. This year, he’s putting up great offensive numbers, but awful defensive numbers. Since the A’s won’t offer him arbitration (if he accepted, he’d make more than the 4MM the Cards are paying him this year), there won’t be draft pick compensation tied to him for other teams to sign. Oh. He’s also injury prone, which was a knock on him.

The A’s would have to overpay to keep him, and that’s an awful idea.

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

Free Travis Buck.

by Blicks on Jul 12, 2009 8:41 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Not worth it.

Kennedy’s bat plays great at second, but it’s not very good anywhere else. The only way I can see Kennedy being an A next year is if Mark Ellis is traded, and Ellis’ trade value is too deflated at this point to make it a move worth making.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Jul 12, 2009 9:02 AM PDT reply actions

Two words... John Mabry.

In 2008 I was watching a team that was rebuilding. In 2009 I feel like I'm watching a team that just sucks.

by UncleLeo on Jul 12, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Kennedy at 1-year for like $1.5 million is not a terrible idea.

This team needs depth at the major league level and it seems like Kennedy has acquitted himself well to being a fill-in/utility guy and seems like he’s clicking with the current coaching staff. He also just seems like a “ballplayer” plain and simple, like Ellis, who sets a good example for younger players.

I wouldn’t overpay for him and would not offer 2 guaranteed years under any circumstance, but if hes willing to play for between $1-2 million on a 1-year deal + 1-year option, then I think it would be a good investment to bring him back. Even if he reverts back to his career numbers (.276/.329/.392), he’d still probably be a better back-up than anyone currently in the system.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Jul 12, 2009 11:17 AM PDT reply actions

I agree with this

Kennedy has been a nice little surprise in a disappointing season and could have some value going forward. But I would not commit more than 1 year to him or enough money that would make it hard to let him go if it came to that.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Kennedy on the roster next year but I would be a bit disappointed if he was penciled in as the starter at any position.

by OkayJay81 on Jul 12, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

+1 on the "starter at any position" comment.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Jul 12, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't think he would sign for that but I would give him 1 yr at 2-2.5 mil

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Jul 15, 2009 12:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Useful player

Decent 2nd baseman, but why is he playing against LHP?

An infielder that hits like this in the AL is worth about 4M, but will he do it again?

by elricsi on Jul 12, 2009 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

Ya he sucks vrs LHP. Unfortanatly for the A's, Cabrera, Cust, Sweeny, and Ellis suck just as bad or worse vrs LHP.

Crosby’s the only other person to play 3rd as only an idiot would play Garciappara in the field at this point. And what about next year?

4 mill is what he got by being avg. He would be worth alot more than 4 mill if he had done this the last full several years. He probably won’t do “it” again but he could do enough to hold down an avg 3rd considering our other options and back up 2nd for when Ellis misses his 30 ish +games a year or continues to OPS .615, (OPS .470 vrs LHP).

The dude’s been more than solid, has shown multiple times he can carry a team offensively at times and has been a big reason why the A’s have been halfway watchable at this point.

If the A’s get a starting or ready to start 3rd baseman by trade, which is probably 50/50 then no, not worth it. I guess in any trade the A’s do for a 3rd baseman they should be trying to sweeten the trade with Kennedy since he won’t have any playing time after that anyways…unless the team suddenly valued his offense more than Ellis’ defense moving forward.

Anyone else scared Ellis is going to become Jack Hannihan real soon?

I know B.B. said he is not going to trade away the team because he wants to support the young starting pitching but the pitchers probably don’t expect much at this point anyways do they? Billy- trade away the team, give the starting pitchers hope for next year.

by OmahaHi on Jul 13, 2009 3:03 AM PDT reply actions

Ellis has a career .767 ops against lefties

"if gio would of ptched,he would of pitched shoot outs." - MR.OAKLAND

"Anyone who calls themselves the Angels Angels should have to start over and ride the short bus." -timmeh from McCovey Chronicles

by Cheezombie on Jul 13, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions

No

Kennedy had an incredible hot streak at the start of his A’s career and has since reverted back to his normal self. I am glad we have his this year but signing him to any sort of extension would be a mistake. We should deal him before the deadline – his good overall numbers and cheapness will be inticing to a contender looking for a 2B.

Those of you who voted yes in the poll above – have a look at Kennedy’s monthly numbers:

May – 1.084 OPS
June – .602 OPS
July – .619 OPS

by DeJay on Jul 13, 2009 3:07 AM PDT reply actions

the word their

Not just in this post, but in many posts I see the word there used when it should be their. Not sure if this bugs anyone else. As for Kennedy. Why not if he’ll take 3 million or less for one year. Not two. Or club option at 3 million no buy out for 2nd year. Billy will have to trade for a 3rd baseman because as we all know the really good FAs don’t wanna play in Oakland. So get that stadium built because until then we are gonna suck like this, and for someone who watches this team on an almost daily bases that’s tough. I do realize that we’ve been hit hard by the injury bug, but we’ve been saying that for more than 3 years now.

by kevfrpres2000 on Jul 13, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions