Fansided

5 players that won the MLB off-season

By Jason Evans

Dec 17, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco senior vice president/general manager Bobby Evans shakes hand after the signing of pitcher Johnny Cueto at a press conference at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco senior vice president/general manager Bobby Evans shakes hand after the signing of pitcher Johnny Cueto at a press conference at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

4. P-Ian Kennedy

Here’s where declining the qualifying offer worked out.

In a crowded pitching market, many thought that Ian Kennedy not taking the qualifying offer was a big mistake. He waited and waited and waited some more and then finally got his deal.

Kennedy signed over the weekend with the Kansas City Royals getting a five-year deal worth $70 million. Not only that, he got something in his deal that it seems everyone got in free agency this off-season. An opt-out after two years.

Kennedy has not pitched for good San Diego teams over the past few years but now goes to a tougher league albeit with the best defensive outfield in the game in a big ballpark with a much better bullpen and team around him than he did in San Diego.

For Kennedy, if he pitches well over the next two seasons (he once won 20 games in a season) then he can take his chances and get another big deal. If he stinks it up, he’ll get $14 million a year guaranteed for five seasons.

The Royals have a window here in which to strike and they needed another starter and got their man in Kennedy.

Next: 3. Zack Greinke

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