Ian Kennedy To Retire – MLB Trade Rumors

Right-hander Ian Kennedy has announced his retirement, as he revealed to Evan Thompson of Sport Relay during last night’s World Series celebration. While Kennedy had already made the decision prior to the 2023 season, he expressed that there is no better way to end his career than as a member of the Texas Rangers, who recently clinched their first-ever title.

Ian Kennedy was drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2006 draft. He made his major league debut in September 2007, after only a little over a year in the minors. Kennedy had limited playing time with the Yankees over the next two-plus seasons. In the offseason of 2009-2010, the Yankees traded Kennedy to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a blockbuster three-team deal that also involved Max Scherzer and Curtis Granderson.

Kennedy played a crucial role in the Arizona rotation for three and a half seasons. In 2011, he led the National League with 21 wins and had an impressive 2.88 ERA across 222 innings, earning himself a fourth-place finish in the NL Cy Young Award race. In 2013, he was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Joe Thatcher. He spent two and a half seasons with the Padres, consistently pitching around 200 innings per year and maintaining a combined 3.97 ERA.

In 2016, Kennedy joined the Kansas City Royals on a five-year, $70 million free agent contract. After a solid first season in Kansas City with a 3.68 ERA in 33 starts, he struggled in the following two seasons. However, Kennedy reinvented himself as a closer in 2019 and recorded 30 saves with a 3.41 ERA. He encountered difficulties in the shortened 2020 season and signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in 2021.

Kennedy had a strong comeback in Texas and became one of the most sought-after relievers on the trade market that summer. The Rangers traded him, along with Kyle Gibson, to the Philadelphia Phillies. Kennedy finished the season with the Phillies and then signed a $4.75 million free agent deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, his second stint with the Diamondbacks did not go as planned. He re-signed with the Rangers for the 2023 season but only pitched 16 1/3 innings. Although he was not part of the active roster during the playoffs, Kennedy ended his career with a championship ring.

This marks the perfect ending to a remarkable 17-year career in Major League Baseball. Kennedy played for six different teams, accumulating just over 1900 innings with a 4.16 ERA. He struck out 1775 batters, won 104 games, and secured 66 saves after transitioning to the bullpen later in his career. According to Baseball Reference, Kennedy earned over $101 million throughout his career. MLBTR congratulates Kennedy on his outstanding career and wishes him all the best in his retirement.