Ian Kennedy: Avoids Arbitration

Kennedy agreed to a one-year, $6.1 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

Analysis:

Kennedy had a disappointing 2013 campaign but finally seemed to put things together in September, after getting traded from Arizona to San Diego in late July. Over the final month of the season, he posted a 2-1 record and 3.90 ERA, with a 28:7 K:BB ratio in 27.2 innings. The return to form bodes well for his prospects in 2014, as does the move from Chase Field to Petco Park. If Kennedy can boost his peripherals back to where they were in 2011 and 2012, he could be in for a huge season.