Nationals sign Adam Kennedy to one-year deal

Posted on February 13, 2010

Adam Kennedy #29 of the Oakland Athletics waits for his next at bat against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 18, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

The Washington Nationals signed free agent infielder Adam Kennedy to a one-year contract worth $1.25 million on Friday. The 34-year-old Kennedy hit .289 with 11 homers and 63 RBIs in 586 plate appearances with the A’s last year and was one of the few offensive bright spots in the A’s mediocre and boring lineup. Many fans were hoping the A’s would bring Kennedy back in 2010, but after this signing it means he will be donning the red and white of the worst team in the National League- but hey- it’s a paycheck!

I will always remember Kennedy for the three homers he hit against the Twins in the 2002 ALCS when he helped anchor the Halos world championship infield. The other thing I think of when I hear Kennedy’s name is his ugly swing and how difficult it is to photograph (see above). Kennedy keeps his head pointed straight down when he makes contact, making it really hard to get a good frame of him hitting the ball. Whenever I shoot Kennedy in the good light from third base the best chance I have of getting a nice frame of him hitting is when he goes the other way and laces the ball into left field, causing him to look up (so I can see his face) to see where the ball went (see below).

The career .277 hitter will add some veteran stability to the Nationals infield- but man are they BAD! That is one team that I don’t mind missing in spring training as they will open camp next week in Florida, which is a long way from my post in Arizona where I will be covering Cactus League action in a few weeks.