Adam Kennedy Finds a Home

Matthew covered Adam Kennedy’s release just over a week ago, and wrapped it up by asking:

Either way, Adam Kennedy is now out of a job and doesn’t come with the Type A penalty that Orlando Hudson does. It will be interesting to see what kind of market develops for his services given that he’s already being paid for this season by the Cardinals assuming no trade is worked out and he gets fully released. At that point, Kennedy probably shops around for the best chance to receive playing time and/or win a championship depending on his personal priorities because it’s highly unlikely any team would offer him more than the $4 million he would need to benefit out of the process.

Well, not only has the market developed, but there’s actually no need for one anymore. Last night Kennedy signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, reuniting him with former Anaheim Angels bench coach Joe Maddon. As Matthew noted, Kennedy likely shopped around for more playing time, and when he found those options lacking or perhaps unattractive, he turned his attention to winning, and therefore the Rays.

Of course, there’s a chance Kennedy could become the Rays main reserve middle infielder. Willy Aybar played some second base last season, but the team seems to like him more at the corners and an occasional game where he DHs. That leaves Ben Zobrist – a poor fielder – and minor league types such as Ray Olmedo, Elliot Johnson, or a still developing Reid Brignac being called upon if Akinori Iwamura or Jason Bartlett fall to injury.

At next to no cost, it’s hard to not like this move for the Rays. With the addition of Morgan Ensberg and now Kennedy, the Rays have taken infield depth seriously when handing out minor league deals, and held the idea of rejuvenation dear to their hearts.