Free Agent Profile: Kyle Kendrick

Sep 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) pitches during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Now that Billy Butler signed with the Oakland A’s and obviously ceased negotiations with the Royals, Dayton Moore has officially freed up funds to “replace a starting pitcher” and “improve [the] bullpen.”

Royals officials have talked to Jon Lester‘s agent, but he is probably out of their price range if they want to make other moves this off-season. The Royals need to pick up a right fielder and another full-time bat that won’t be a black hole in the DH spot.

There are several ways to accomplish this, but if they want to keep their flyball-prone pitching staff from getting pummeled, they’d do well to sign a solid defensive outfielder. However, if they want to compete in 2015, that solid defensive outfielder will also need to hit. Combining those two things into one player guarantees a hefty price tag, all but guaranteeing that a top-tier starting pitcher is out of reach.

That leaves the Royals to consider second-tier pitchers and buy-low options.

Kyle Kendrick is among the more interesting buy-low options after coming off a disappointing year in Philadelphia.

Kenrick is a big righty with a whippy delivery that constantly freezes batters. His career 34.9% strikeouts looking is considerably higher than the league average of 24.6% in that same time.

He posted a 4.62 ERA in 2014 and had a FIP that was right in line. He allowed 25 home runs and 214 hits in 199 innings. If he signed with the Royals, it’s a safe bet he wouldn’t allow as many hits. Instead of pitching in front of the lumbering Ryan Howard, a perpetually lost Ben Revere and a pair of 35 year old middle infielders, he’d pitch in front of Gold Glovers Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer, Gold Glove finalists Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar and Fielding Bible award winner Lorenzo Cain.

His home runs would, of course, drop if he played 81 games at Kauffman Stadium, which is the 10th worst park to hit home runs in the majors. Citizens Bank Park is eighth best.

He can also at least partly fill the mentor void left by James Shields‘ departure. Kyle Kendrick pitched for the Phillies during their dynasty years between 2007-2011. Those teams include the 2008 World Series champs and the 2011 juggernaut that won 102 games. He pitched with Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. All aces. While that may not lead directly to wins, it holds some value.

Best of all, he just turned 30 years old in August. He’s younger than most of the available free agent pitchers (James Shields, Ervin Santana, Jake Peavy) and has more experience than many.

While none of this guarantees success, it’s hard to imagine that he won’t improve if signed by the Royals. The Royals also might be able to sign him to a one year deal that he can use to build his value. He’s definitely worth one year and $8-10 million. He might even be worth 2/$16-18. The Royals have several young and promising arms in the pipeline and by 2016, it’s possible that the Royals will have too many competent pitchers for one rotation. Kendrick can serve as a transitional pitcher until one or more of Brandon Finnegan, Miguel Almonte, or Sean Manaea is ready.

Kendrick is not without his downside. He would make the third mid-tier/back-end starter that the Royals have signed in the past four years. It would load the rotation with pitchers that no one should expect too much from, even if they won’t crash and burn. That puts pressure on Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy to lock down wins in their starts.

Even though Kyle Kendrick may not be the most sterling option to replace Shields, he could be a good fit and help the team save money for productive bats in the outfield.