1:20pm: Kendrick’s deal will call for him to earn a $2MM base if he makes the big league roster and incentives can boost the total value to $6MM, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tweets.
10:09am: The Braves announced that they have signed right-hander Kyle Kendrick to a minor league deal. The pact includes a non-roster invite to spring training.
Kendrick, 31, is coming off a poor season with the Rockies after signing a one-year, $5.5MM contract last winter. As a fifth starter that doesn’t miss many bats, Kendrick and Coors Field always seemed like a poor fit, but he presumably went with the largest guarantee offered to him last winter.
In 142 1/3 innings with the Rockies, Kendrick limped to a 6.32 ERA. His K/9, BB/9 and ground-ball rates each trended in the wrong direction in his lone season in Denver, and he finished the year with respective marks of 5.1, 2.9 and 38.8 percent in those regards. While Kendrick’s season was easily the worst of his career and likely hampered his 2015-16 market, he did have a track record as a serviceable source of 25 to 30 starts per year in a different hitter-friendly environment: Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.
From 2010-14, Kendrick worked to a 4.33 ERA with 5.3 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 and a ground-ball rate near 46 percent in 835 2/3 innings. He missed some time this past year with inflammation in his right shoulder and has previously spent time on the DL (2013) for the same injury.
Earlier this month, the Pirates were mentioned as a club with interest in Kendrick and that pairing would have made a lot of sense given the club’s reputation for restoring the values of veteran pitchers who have stumbled. Instead, however, Atlanta has picked him up on a low-risk deal.
Why Braves why
Why not? He signed a $5.5M deal just one year ago, and Braves get him for a minor-league deal. He should benefit just by not starting in COL. And while we don’t necessarily need to rely on him, he adds depth and experience within NL East having success with PHI. This follows the pattern of a buy-low candidate that can, at most, rebuild his stock through long relief and/or back-of-the-rotation starts that can be flipped at the Deadline, and at the very least, can provide more stability in the bullpen for next-to-nothing. Good move, again.
Minor league depth moves should 100% never be called a “good move”. It’s more “a” move.
A “good move” is the Orioles getting 2 years of Kim for $7M, when he’s a way better and more consistent hitter than Kang ever was, ergo, he should be a pretty good everyday player.
Tell that to Will Harris, Chris Colabello and J.D Martinez
Cheap source of innings. Gotta get through the season somehow.
#1 draft picks, have you heard of them?
Speechless over this signing?
Kyle Kendrick is 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 63 Career Innings at Turner Field. So there’s that.
Well he’s also not going to be pitching AGAINST the Braves.
Thank you. Someone else who realizes how silly statements like that are.
I am just trying to find some bright side to this signing that looks to be more of the 5th Starter / Innings Eater variety. That’s why I ended my statement with “So there’s that”.
There’s likely not much, and that’s okay. He was signed on an MiLB deal, so any level of positive production is valuable from him.
My point, and likely koldjerky’s, was that Kendrick’s stats at Turner Field are moot because they are all against the Braves, who he is now a part of.
Thats not a silly statement… What? Its silly for you to say that. Clearly he likes pitching in Turner Field. Cause you know that actually does happen…..
His 5-1 with a 2.63 ERA in Turner Field all takes place while playing AGAINST the Braves.
It’s silly to think that because he had good numbers against the team in a ball park, he’ll magically put up similar numbers playing against other teams.
For example, he has a lifetime 5.04 ERA against the Nationals. Will he suddenly pitch amazing against them when they go to Turner Field? He might, but his split numbers don’t support that argument, at all.
Oh boy. Ok so first you contradicted yourself. You went from an absolute “it is silly and stupid and wont happen” to “He might but”. So I’m going to stop you right there. First, honestly yes he could pitch better against the Nationals at Turner Field. Pitchers have stated time again that certain places make them feel more comfortable.
Second, at any point did i state he’ll put up similar numbers? Nope. 2013 he had a FIP of 4.02. On a Minor League deal I can live with that. Its a 50/50 whether he can do it but I puts odds he can. 1. Roger McDowell 2. Turner Field 3. Comfort level.
Finally, its Kyle Kendrick. He’s been doing this professionally and consistently since 2007. Obviously people far more knowledgeable than us see what he’s still capable of and this is as a starter. He’s by no means Cliff Lee but a 5-1 @ 2.63 at home signed on a Minor League deal? Exactly how is that silly?
You guys are arguing over Kyle Kendrick. It must either be really cold or really boring where you live.
Says the guy who just joined in to point out something that really didn’t need to be pointed out. How cold is it there?
I’m not referring to the “silly statement” in regards to Kyle Kendrick directly, more in an overall sense.
Ballpark splits show us one thing: how a pitcher has performed against one team in one ballpark. Unless ballparks are neutral and the Phillies played the Nationals in Turner Field, it’s not a very useful stat to use.
To use that split, in any case, with any player (particularly pitchers), would be to say “he pitched well against the Braves in Turner Field, therefore, he’ll likely pitch well against ANY team in Turner Field” or vise versa if he’s bad in a ballpark against one team.
It’s silly to use ballpark splits to project how a pitcher will perform on his new team. For any player, not just for Kendrick.
None of this is to say that this is a bad signing. I don’t think that at all, by the way.
It’s an MiLB deal for a pitcher who could be good, could be bad.
My statement is simply suggesting that ballpark splits are useless to suggest that a pitcher will be a good or bad signing for a team. There are better splits/stats to use.
I like it!
A minor league deal is zero risk for the braves. If he turns it around he is a trade chip at the deadline
The “risk” is that anytime he pitches, the Braves will lose. I think that’s what they’re gunning for this season though. No team in their right mind would ever trade for Kyle Kendrick, who has been horrendous his entire career.
If they don’t sign Kendrick and they are desperate for another starter, the statement “The “risk” is that anytime he pitches, the Braves will lose” applies to just about anybody in his place. In fact, I can think of a lot worse options than a guy who has had a bit of success in his past and can throw some innings at the Major League level in a glass case.
I wouldn’t say he’s been horrendous his entire career. Last year certainly, but most of his years in Philly he was very serviceable and was an innings eater.
The guy has a 4.81 career FIP. CAREER. He is absolutely horrendous at baseball, and will probably be at AAA until the Braves need someone to come up and get shelled. Literally cannot believe anyone would think this is a “good” move.
Because signing a guy whose had success and can pitch 180 innings for not even a million dollars is the worst thing anyone could have done?
Hes a cheap source of innings and a stopgag for the pitching prospects.
No such thing as a bad MiLB deal.
He’s absolutely horrendous that he made the big leagues and continues to sign contracts with other Major League Baseball teams.
Hyperbole much?
Horrendous horrendous horrendous! Chill out everyone who do we have other than Julio who is either a) proven commodity b) not horrendous? Dalealvingribble has a point. Good record in Turner v. MUCH better offensive clubs (Heyward, Upton, Gattis). Could work out for us. If not then he stays in AAA and we lose nothing. Chill out.
I like your definition of horrendous. Where did you play?
Why would that matter? I’ve never understood that argument.
Just like I never understood how one quantifies terrible when they themselves can’t do it
what a stupid comment…. do you not know a bad movie or song? do you have to be able to film a movie to have an opinion?
Lol bravos comes through with fallacies
I get that it’s a high reward, low risk but all the old pitchers are gonna block/take away some starts from all our pitching prospects
Not really. Kendrick and Bud Norris could be stop-gaps until the younger pitchers are ready.
Norris was signed at 2.5M and Kendrick on a MiLB deal. It’s not like it’ll break the bank if they have to DFA/release either guy to make room in June, July, or August.
have fun braves fans
cordially,
Philadelphia
Thank you, you too
Cordially, Atlanta
Oh wait, never mind, you guys suck balls AND you have no farm system.
You realize the Phillies are right up there with Atlanta in terms of farm system?
We have 6 top 100 prospects plus we just graduated Nola, Franco and Velasquez.
Our farm is just as good as yours.
Stop making braves fans look dumb please, Atlanta would be so lucky as to have maikel Franco or have the offensive farm that they have in Philly
Thank you, you too
Cordially, Braves
This is a lie, as Phillies fans have never done anything “cordially”.
You can never have to much pitching depth… He’ll give you innings, they’ll be dreadful horrific “Donnie Veal-esq.” innings, but innings none the less.
Still waiting to see the Braves make more moves. With the Braves officially in rebuilding mode, I really think they need to trade Freeman and Teheran for more prospects. They made smart moves already this offseason, like getting the most recent number 1 pick Dansby Swanson from Arizona in exchange for Shelby Miller. Although they’re getting a future all-star in Swanson, they deal I most like is the Andrelton Simmons trade. By trading the gold glover to the Angels, Atlanta got an absolute stud prospect in return: Seam Newcomb. He a 6’7 lefty with gas. Grew up watching him play at the University of Hartford. But seriously John Hart, you’ve traded Miller and Simmons already, now it’s time to trade your stars. If the Braves package Freeman and Teheran, they can get 3 to 4 quality prospects in return, along with a solid veteran to mentor all these young kids. I suggest contacting teams like the Cubs or Red Sox. They both have the farm system to get the deal done, and especially have the money to take on the players. If you’re listening John Hart, here’s your rebuilding process.
I like how you think you’re talking to John Hart himself. It tickles me
I can see what your saying about Tehran to the cubs,but not in a package deal.Why would they want Freeman when they have a better 1st baseman in Rizzo?Maybe Freeman to the Red Soz tho.Either way,I dont forsee anyone one of them trades happening.Stewart is in Arizona not Chicago or Boston.
I don’t think we have to move Teheran or Freeman at all. This doesn’t have to be a firesale. We had two independent deals were we just got absurd value for the players on our team. If somebody comes in and blows the front office away with an offer for Teheran or Freeman then I hope we take it. If they will only give us market value, then hold on to them until somebody gives us too much to pass on. Desperate teams will come calling at the trade deadline.
+fmfish12-Rarely I am I ever speechless, but after reading your post, you leave me absolutely no choice.
Can’t tell of that’s an insult or compliment
To vamosbravos: can’t tell if you’re complimenting me or insulting me
Maddux….Smoltz….Glavine….Kendrick. The legacy continues.
This should lock up the pennant for the Braves!LOLOLOLOLOLOL
This signing means nothing, don’t see why people are caring that much or complaining about this just a minor league signing with potential to fill in a rotation/swingman type of spot. Really I could care less
This is a blah blah blah……..don’t pay attention until 2018 kinda move. It doesn’t matter. It’s not like he’s gonna win them games and he will be off the books by next year.
I remember a guy on here(idr his name) comparing Shelby Miller to Kyle Kendrick. He went on and on about it. I wonder where that guy is now, and what he thinks.