3 more buy-low trades Braves can make after Joc Pederson deal
By John Buhler
RHP. Ian Kennedy. player. 126. Pick Analysis. 2. Scouting Report. Texas Rangers
Ian Kennedy is a veteran right-hander playing on a Minor League deal in 2021
As with the Pirates, the Texas Rangers are going nowhere fast this season. They are among the very worst teams in the American League this year. The good news for them is they have plenty of assets that contending teams could covet at the deadline. The player the Braves should be targeting off the Rangers roster has to be veteran right-handed relief pitcher Ian Kennedy.
Given that Kennedy is playing on a Minor League deal with the 2021 Rangers, the Braves can absolutely afford to take on his salary. The 36-year-old will be hitting free agency next winter as well. But the best part in trading for Kennedy is that he has been remarkable in his first season with the Rangers. He has a 2.67 ERA, a 1.055 WHIP and 15 saves in 30 appearances for Texas.
As with Rodriguez, the Rangers will likely have multiple suitors for their valued relief pitcher. However, with this being only a half-year rental for Kennedy, as opposed to a multi-year commitment in Rodriguez’s case, that might be more in line for a team in the Braves’ situation. They want cheap players on expiring contracts who can either make an impact, or be dealt again.
Kennedy satisfies a ton of what the Braves may be looking for to fix its hopelessly sunken bullpen.