Phillies Acquire Buddy Kennedy from Tigers for Infield Depth
The Philadelphia Phillies have secured infielder Buddy Kennedy from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations, as reported by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Kennedy, a 25-year-old, was designated for assignment by the Tigers earlier in the week, paving the way for his move to the Phillies. This trade follows the Tigers’ decision to promote Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo, while simultaneously sending Spencer Torkelson to the minors, which freed up space on the 26-man roster. Additionally, designating Kennedy for assignment opened a spot on the 40-man roster. Now, Kennedy will join the Phillies’ 40-man roster and is set to play for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Evan Petzold tweeted, “The Tigers have traded infielder Buddy Kennedy to the Phillies for cash considerations. Kennedy, 25, hit .200 with one home run, two strikeouts, and four walks in six games with the Tigers. He also posted a .234 average with three homers, 19 walks, and 39 strikeouts in 39 games for Triple-A Toledo.”
### Kennedy’s Background and Career
Kennedy’s addition marks another strategic depth move for the Phillies, who recently acquired Ruben Cardens and Jonah Dipoto in other transactions. Kennedy, originally from Philadelphia, played high school baseball at Millville High School in New Jersey, a short distance from Citizens Bank Park. His connection to the Phillies is further solidified by his grandfather, Don Money, who played for the team between 1968 and 1972. The Tigers opted to designate Kennedy for assignment following the return of Ryan Kreidler and Eddys Leonard from Triple-A Toledo, which placed both players ahead of Kennedy for any potential major league infield promotions.
Since September, Kennedy has been with five different organizations, highlighting a period of significant transition in his career. In the majors, he holds a career batting average of .205 over 136 plate appearances. Despite his struggles in the majors, Kennedy has shown potential in the minors. From 2021 to 2023, he maintained an impressive batting line of .287/.395/.455, demonstrating his versatility by playing at second and third base, with occasional appearances at first base and left field. His strong minor league performance last year garnered attention, although his current season’s stats have been less stellar, reflected in a .234/.331/.393 slash line in Triple-A. This decline in performance resulted in him being unclaimed until the Phillies’ recent trade.
Kennedy’s career has seen several shifts since being designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks in September. His journey took him through stints with Oakland, St. Louis, and Detroit via waiver claims. Following the 2022 season, the Diamondbacks outrighted him, signaling a challenging period for Kennedy as he navigated through multiple teams. However, his return to Philadelphia presents a unique opportunity for both him and the Phillies as he brings valuable minor league experience and versatility to the organization.
In summary, Buddy Kennedy’s acquisition by the Phillies not only adds depth to their infield options but also brings a player with local ties and a promising minor league track record. As he joins Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the Phillies hope he can regain his form and potentially contribute to the major league roster in the future.
