LOOKING BACK AT THE GRANDERSON TRADE... PART II

The Diamondbacks Received 

The Diamondbacks received the up and comer, Ian Kennedy from the Yankees in this deal.  At one point, Kennedy was hyped within the Yankees organization as he came up through the minor league system with Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain.  After an impressive minor league season in 2007, he was given an opportunity to start in 2008, but went 0-4 with an ugly 8.17 ERA.  During the 2008 season he was sent back down to the minors and recalled back by the Yankees several times.  In the offseason he was traded in this deal.

In Arizona, Kennedy had a much better season in 2010:

• Going 9-10 with a 3.80 ERA over 32 starts.
• He had a respectable WHIP at 1.20.
• He threw 168 strikeouts with 70 walks over 194 innings.

The Diamondbacks were impressed with him and named his as their #1 starter for this season.  His Opening Day on Friday was shaky as he allowed 4 runs over 6 innings against the Rockies.  I may have been caught up in that hype when Ian Kennedy was called up in 2007 & 2008, but I thought he had the makings to be a reliable starter.  Time will tell, especially since he is only 26 years old. 

Following a terrific 2009 season, Edwin Jackson was traded from the Tigers to the D-backs as part of this three-way trade.  Jackson who had bounced around between the Dodgers and Rays only throws 2 pitches: Fastball & Slider.  Both are extremely effective which prompted his appearance at the 2009 All Star Game.  In July of 2009, batters were only hitting .216 against him, which was the lowest in the AL.  He finished that season with a 13-9 record and 3.62 ERA.  2009 continues to be his standout year.

He only pitched for a couple months with the Diamondbacks when he was traded mid-season to the White Sox.  Prior to being traded he threw a no-hitter against the Rays in June.  He was traded for Dan Hudson & David Holmberg on the White Sox at the trade deadline.  He went 6-10 for the Diamondbacks with a 5/16 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.  The White Sox like him in 2011 and named him the #2 starter.  He dominated the Indians Saturday, allowing only 2 runs over 6 innings.

Overall, not a bad trade for the Diamondbacks who are trying to rebuild that team, especially for what they gave up.  Kennedy has some serious potential to be a solid starting pitcher, especially in the NL.  Kevin Towers is GM of the Diamondbacks now and they have a lot of rebuilding to do.  I  liked Towers when he worked within the Yankee organziation and hope to see his scouting abilities build a good team out in Arizona.  

Read Part I of the Granderson Trade Here