Kennedy scoffs at critics after successful 1st season with Royals
Ian Kennedy has a message for his detractors.
Kennedy signed a five-year, $70-million contract with the Kansas City Royals last winter, shortly after completing one of the worst statistical seasons of his career in 2016. The Royals received some criticism for signing Kennedy to such a hefty and back-loaded contract despite the fact he'd finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting four years prior.
But then something funny happened in 2016: Kennedy seemed to enjoy pitching at Kauffman Stadium. The 31-year-old's first season with the Royals went swimmingly, as he posted a 3.68 ERA, 184 strikeouts, and a 1.221 WHIP in his 33 starts - all of those numbers showing marked improvements from a year ago - and was one of only three Royals pitchers to make over 30 starts.
His rebound year gave Kennedy plenty of ammo to both fire back at his critics and defend his general manager Dayton Moore for signing him in the first place.
"I feel like for what I do and how consistent I've been, I did pretty good," Kennedy told Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com on Thursday. "I've had bad years, but it's hard to evaluate after one year. I'd like to say, 'Yes, I've proved the critics wrong.' I think I've done pretty good. But you're always going to have naysayers and critics.
"But I think I told you that critics said Dayton was so smart during the World Series and winning the World Series. But then he got dumb for signing me? How does that happen? I don't know who those people are who say it, but overall I can't pay attention it. I've got four more years left, and maybe they evaluate after that."
Royals fans, whether critics or not, should probably expect to be watching Kennedy closely for the next four years. Although he has an opt-out clause after next season, Kennedy and his family recently became year-round residents of Kansas City, and he doesn't seem to have any plans to exercise it next winter.
"That's how I view it," Kennedy told Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star when asked if he plans to remain a Royal for four more seasons. "I've got to view it that way. That's how I envisioned it the whole time."