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Friday, September 19, 2008

STLtoday: Adam Kennedy seeks trade for ‘09

Convinced manager Tony La Russa no longer considers him an everyday player, Cardinals second baseman Adam Kennedy has asked that the club trade him rather than bring him back for the final installment of his three-year, $10 million contract.

“I’ve never played on a baseball team where I haven’t had a role, whether it was everyday or something else. That’s the toughest part, not having a role. I realize it’s not going to happen here,” Kennedy said before Thursday night’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.

..."There were times this year I thought I was playing great, then I wouldn’t play for a while,” Kennedy said. “When that happened, it pretty much confirmed what was going on. That’s it. I don’t fit in the plans here now or for next year.”

..."Tony’s won a lot of baseball games,” Kennedy said. “He writes the lineup and I’m not in it. That’s fine. There’s no argument. That’s his opinion and he’s the manager. Last year, I compounded the problem by not accepting the role and not being ready. This year, I’ve sucked it up and made sure I’m ready if I’m not in there. Now I’m to the point where I have to look out for my career as well. It’s been two years. I didn’t play well last year but I thought I’d done my part this year. But I don’t see (increased playing time) happening.”

Jeez, even the Kennedy Gold Mine has had better production lately…

Repoz Posted: September 19, 2008 at 06:42 AM | 15 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralSt Louis

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   1. Arva  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 06:20 AM (#2947208)
Kennedy's 2008 batting line: 311 AB .264 .304 .325, good for a 67 OPS+

Aaron Miles 2008 batting line: 358 AB .316 .353 .399, good for a 99 OPS+

Kennedy's defense seems to have fallen off a bit, while Miles is OK at 2nd (he's bad a short). I don't see how an argument could be made to give Kennedy anymore playing time. Yes, Izturis over at SS has been worse with the stick, but at least he's still good with the glove. I have my doubts about Kennedy being traded, but he might get released and find himself out of baseball.
   2. Mike Webber  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 08:04 AM (#2947243)
Bo Hart has a defined role and plays everyday for the Northern League Champion Kansas City T-Bones. I think his best opportunity is to rejoin Hart to get what he wants.
   3. Bob Dernier Cri  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 08:13 AM (#2947247)
haven’t had a role


"Weak platoon player on the cusp of losing a job" is a kind of role.
   4. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 08:32 AM (#2947267)
I'm no Tony LaRussa, but I never considered Adam Kennedy an everyday player.
   5. Herschel Pinkus Yerucham Shmoikel Krustofsky  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 09:10 AM (#2947302)
From 02-05, a pretty fair argument could be made. Kennedy could stay around a 100 OPS+ and had a little speed, which is certainly above average given his position. His glove was also decent. I'd have pretty OK with that Adam Kennedy as an everyday player on my team.

Even now, Kennedy can probably still hit for an above average batting average, considering his position. I'd be willing to take a flyer on him next year as my starting second baseman, assuming I didn't have anybody better lying around.
   6. Cabbage  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 09:27 AM (#2947328)
Bo Hart has a defined role and plays everyday for the Northern League Champion Kansas City T-Bones. I think his best opportunity is to rejoin Hart to get what he wants.

T-Bones suck ... Go Jackhhammers!
   7. Craig K  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM (#2947376)
FOR WHAT?

He's the worst everyday player in the ####### MAJORS! I wouldn't give up the hundred bucks for a bucket of baseballs for him!
   8. McCoy  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 01:31 PM (#2947694)
I wish he would have been traded before this first inning.
   9. Halofan  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 01:52 PM (#2947739)
Can't accuse him of falling off from testing... at least for 'roids...
   10. Greg Franklin  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 02:11 PM (#2947774)
Referring to McCoy's post, TFA has been updated:
1:50 p.m. Friday update:

CHICAGO -- Despite his request to be traded, Adam Kennedy found himself starting in right field again today for the Cardinals.

And he delivered immediately, hitting a first-inning grand slam off Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano and giving the Cardinals an early 5-0 lead.
   11. AROM  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 02:21 PM (#2947783)
From 02-05, a pretty fair argument could be made. Kennedy could stay around a 100 OPS+ and had a little speed, which is certainly above average given his position. His glove was also decent. I'd have pretty OK with that Adam Kennedy as an everyday player on my team.


"Glove was decent" is an understatement. He would not have been a bad choice for a gold glove or two in that span. Combine that with league average hitting, and Kennedy was a very valuable player. Even then though, there was a very good reason to not play him everyday: He never hit lefties, career OPS of .634 against them. That is, except when he faced Johan Santana in the 2002 ALCS and failed to get the bunt down.
   12. Rusty Priske  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 02:35 PM (#2947813)
Kennedy seeks trade for '09


What is he hoping to get for it?
   13. 1k5v3L, Useless  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 02:51 PM (#2947831)
Kennedy has really sucked for STL. Has he been hurt? And how's his defense at 2b?
   14. Repoz  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 08:10 PM (#2948148)
Bumped for Guts...
   15. Guts  Posted: September 19, 2008 at 09:31 PM (#2948339)
Bumped for Guts...

Guts is a little behind the times.


Has he been hurt? And how's his defense at 2b?

No, and great. It's his bat that's the problem. And it's a big problem, though he's hit better this year than last.
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