The Royals’ five-year, $70 million contract with free agent starter Ian Kennedy became official Friday, the latest offseason chip to fall as the club prepares to defend its 2015 World Series championship.
Kennedy, who previously agreed to terms with the Royals on the deal, passed a physical this week and will be present at Royals FanFest, which begins on Friday afternoon.
Kennedy, who spent last season with the San Diego Padres, likely slots into the middle of the rotation, an innings-eater who will add depth and experience behind right-handers Yordano Ventura and Edinson Volquez. The final two spots in the rotation are expected to be filled by a combination of Kris Medlen, Danny Duffy and Chris Young, who was retained his offseason on a two-year, $11.