Just hours after losing out on Orlando Hudson, the Nationals went elsewhere to fill their hole at second base, signing free agent Adam Kennedy. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed, but it is presumably a one-year deal as the team prepares to clear space for shortstop prospect Ian Desmond.
Nationals Sign Adam Kennedy As Plan B 2B
Says Ed Chigliak at Federal Baseball:
The Kennedy signing...means that DC SS Cristian Guzman will remain on the left side of second instead of moving over from short to make room in the infield for Ian Desmond, who was thought by some to be ready for a full-time role in the Majors. All winter, however, it's been reported that there was a faction in the DC Front Office who didn't think Desmond was quite ready defensively to be the Nationals' everyday shortstop, and as long as Guzman's fully-recovered from the shoulder surgery he underwent after the '09 season ended, it appears Desmond's destined for Syracuse to start the twenty-ten campaign.
After falling out of favor in St. Louis and floating around a little bit, Kennedy wound up in Oakland last year and got off to a huge start, batting .360 with an OPS over 1.000 as late as early June. He would, of course, slow down over the rest of the season, but his final batting line resembled the kinds of numbers he used to put up as an Angel before moving to the NL, when he was a quality regular player.
His stock restored, Kennedy finds himself headed into 2010 as a starter after beginning 2009 in the minors. It’s a big turnaround for the 34 year old, and while he’s only in Washington to keep a roster spot warm for someone younger, as long as he’s able to swing an average bat and move around the infield, he’ll be able to keep himself employed for a good while yet. It’s worth noting that, while the lefty has struggled against southpaws for his career, he has hit a very respectable .285/.337/.409 against righties.
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