Philly Sports Jabronis
By Todd Zolecki, Phillies.com
PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Kendrick’s eight-year tenure with the Phillies has come to an end.
A source told MLB.com on Monday that Kendrick, 30, has agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Rockies, though Colorado has not confirmed the deal. The Phillies unofficially cut ties with the right-handed pitcher this offseason as they began a rebuilding process following consecutive 89-loss seasons.
The Phillies recently issued his No. 38 to Chad Billingsley, who signed with the team last week.
Kendrick was selected by Philadelphia in the seventh round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. He made the jump from Double-A Reading to the big leagues in June 2007, when he replaced Freddy Garcia in the starting rotation. Kendrick went 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts, stabilizing a unit decimated by injuries and helping the organization win its first National League East title since 1993.
Kendrick followed with up-and-down seasons, spending much of 2009 in Triple-A as Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee wanted Kendrick to learn to be more effective with his secondary pitches. Kendrick eventually returned to the big leagues, making 31 starts in 2010 and 133 over the last five seasons.
He went 74-68 with a 4.42 ERA in 226 games (185 starts) in his eight seasons in Philadelphia.
Kendrick’s departure leaves Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels andCarlos Ruiz as the only players remaining from the 2008 World Series-championship season.
