[Note] 2B Adam Kennedy signs with Rays
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays bolstered their infield depth
Tuesday, signing second baseman Adam Kennedy to a minor league contract.
Kennedy was released by St. Louis last week, leaving the Cardinals' starting
job up for grabs heading into spring training. He's scheduled to make $4
million this season, but the Rays would only have to pay him the major league
minimum $400,000 if he makes the team.
The Cardinals, who signed the 33-year-old to a $10 million, three-year deal
before the 2007 season, would be responsible for the rest of the salary.
“We talk a lot about depth. I think this move fits perfectly in line with
that,”Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman
said.“He's a tremendous defender, does a lot of things well. We're anxious to
watch him play on a daily basis.”
Tampa Bay's regular second baseman, Akinori Iwamura, will miss the start of
spring training because he's working out with Team Japan in preparation for the
World Baseball Classic.
Kennedy, expected for the Rays’first full-squad workout on Wednesday, hit .280
with two homers and 36 RBIs in 115 games last season. He requested a trade
after the Cardinals acquired Felipe Lopez in August.
A .276 career hitter, Kennedy made his major league debut with St. Louis in
1999. He was traded to Anaheim, where he helped the Angels win the World Series
in 2002, and returned to the Cardinals as a free agent two years ago.
Rays manager Joe Maddon is familiar with Kennedy from his days as a coach with
the Angels.
“I don't know what happened in St. Louis,”Friedman said.“But Joe's got a
history with him and speaks extremely high of him as a teammate and competitor
and feels like he'll add a lot to our group in the clubhouse.”
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