The Cardinals have designated infielder Buddy Kennedy for assignment, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That opens up a roster spot for shortstop Brandon Crawford, whose previously-reported deal is now official.
Kennedy, 25, has never appeared in a game as a Cardinal, having just been claimed off waivers from the Athletics in October. The A’s themselves had only claimed him from the Diamondbacks the month prior. The infielder has 40 games of major league experience, all of it with the Snakes over 2022 and 2023. He’s hit .206/.293/.299 in his big league career thus far, though in a small sample of 123 plate appearances.
He’s generally fared better in the minors, including last year. In 463 Triple-A plate appearances in 2023, he drew walks at a 16.4% clip and slashed .307/.432/.455 for a wRC+ of 124. He also brings defensive versatility to the table, as he has played all three non-shortstop infield positions in his career as well as spending some brief time in left field.
The Cards will have one week to trade Kennedy or pass him through waivers. He may be able to garner interest from other clubs based on his strong work at the plate in Triple-A last year, defensive flexibility and the fact that he has one option year remaining. If he were to pass through waivers unclaimed, he would have the right to elect free agency by virtue of having a previous career outright.
Buff Barnacles
This is where Buddy show’s he’s a professional and not grumbling Crawfords name like Yosemite Sam.
See you in the show later this year Buddy!
This one belongs to the Reds
Buddy might go into the carpet business.
samuell77
Bobby Kennedy for President
Liberalsteve
The greatest family of the last 100 years.kennedy’s
Gomez Toth
Including Jello Biafra and Klaus Fluoride, of course.
User 2161944466
The Gambinos are better
I.M. Insane
Right behind the Menendez Family
5TUNT1N
Wagers on who takes him?
Gomez Toth
How about Boston? Story is certain to miss time due to injury, and unlike Valdez and Reyes, Kennedy just might bring something to the table offensively.
laynestaley2002
Bye buddy. I hope you find your dad.
mostlytoasty
Really think this guy deserves a shot somewhere, but it did seem weird the Cards had him in the first place given their crunch of guys that can play 3B.
mrperkins
Clearly Mo was rattled about not resigning Motter 3 more times
Armaments216
In his deltoid muscle?
SupremeZeus
Buddy id too young for MoTie.
sergefunction
Gramps was a good big leaguer who basically played the same positions. He also went to Mike Trout’s high school.
How is this guy not yet a star?
And he’s a Kennedy. It’s all right there.
bighiggy
You dfa this guy over fermin? Why? How does fermin still have a 40 spot, crazy
baseballteam
A Kennedy who is not running for office, how refreshing.
dpcollects
In my opinion, MLB should shorten the DFA window from 7 days to 3 during spring training. It’s a huge disservice to the player.