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MLB Free Agency: 7 best pitchers left on the market

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Oct 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) reacts after throwing a complete game to defeat the New York Mets in game two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) reacts after throwing a complete game to defeat the New York Mets in game two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Ian Kennedy

San Diego Padres free agent pitcher Ian Kennedy is one of the most durable arms in the MLB. He has made 30 starts in every season since 2010, which was his first full year of being a starting pitcher. Given how pitchers go down left and right with arm injuries, the former New York Yankee farm hand may be a valuable commodity this offseason.

Kennedy is by no means a rotation ace, despite putting up a dominant 2011 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks that featured him winning 21 games, sporting a 2.88 ERA and striking out 198. This proved to be a fluke, however, as his ERA hasn’t been below 3.50 since.

For whichever team signs him, Kennedy would slot into the No. 3 or No. 4 spot of almost any rotation. A team like the San Francisco Giants could use him. Despite signing Jeff Samardzija, there’s still an opening in their rotation with Madison Bumgarner and Jake Peavy being the only guarantees for next season. One would have to think Matt Cain gets another chance, but his shaky stats over the past few seasons may put him on a short leash. Bringing in Kennedy would provide a stable force in the rotation in case anything happens to Cain or someone else.

Next: No. 4 Mike Leake

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