Nats agree with 2B Kennedy, LHP Estes
February 6, 2010
WASHINGTON (AP)—Free-agent second baseman Adam Kennedy(notes) and the WashingtonNationals have agreed to a contract pending a physical, a person familiar withthe deal told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person confirmed the agreement calls for Kennedy to make $1.25 millionin 2010. There is also a $2 million club option for 2011.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, because the contracthad not yet been signed.
Kennedy’s deal was struck shortly after second baseman Orlando Hudson(notes) agreedto a $5 million, one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.
Keeping up their busy offseason after losing 100 games for the second yearin a row, the Nationals also agreed to a minor league deal with left-handedpitcher Shawn Estes(notes), another person told the AP, speaking on condition ofanonymity because the team had not yet made an announcement.
If Estes—who did not pitch in the majors at all last season or in 2007—is added to Washington’s 40-man roster, he would get a $600,000, one-yearcontract and the chance to earn $400,000 in performance bonuses, the personsaid.
The 34-year-old Kennedy hit .289 with 11 homers and 63 RBIs for the OaklandAthletics last season, his 11th in the majors.
He provides a defensive upgrade at second base for the Nationals, who alsohave brought aboard catcher Ivan Rodriguez(notes), starting pitcher Jason Marquis(notes),closer Matt Capps(notes) and relievers Brian Bruney(notes), Tyler Walker(notes) and Eddie Guardado(notes).
Kennedy’s acquisition probably means Cristian Guzman(notes) will stay at shortstop,after there had been some discussion of moving him to second base.
Kennedy has a career .277 batting average, with 68 homers and 486 RBIs whileplaying for the Cardinals, Angels and Athletics. He might be best known forbeing the MVP of the 2002 American League championship series with the Angels.
Estes will turn 37 before the first official workout of Nationals springtraining this month. He last was in the big leagues in 2008, when he went 2-3with a 4.74 ERA in nine appearances with the San Diego Padres.
The lefty has appeared in a total of only 10 major league games over thepast four seasons. For his career, Estes is 101-93 with a 4.71 ERA for sevenclubs.
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
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