Phillies Sign Kyle Kendrick to $3.6 Million Contract, Avoid Arbitration

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed right-handed reliever Kyle Kendrick to a $3.585 million contract, according to Jon Paul Morosi via Twitter. The deal allows both sides to avoid an arbitration hearing, which is obviously a positive outcome.

Kendrick, 27, has played each of his five seasons with the Phillies, and has earned a 4.41 ERA for his career. This was the first year he was arbitration eligible and made $2.45 million in 2011. He started 15 games last season, winning 8, but spent the rest of his time out of the bullpen and will likely resume that role in 2012.

He struggles with missing bats, which has always been the primary limitation for a pitcher that's durable, avoids big walk totals and gets a decent number of grounders. He fastballs sits around 90 MPH and he lacks an obvious out-pitch, so Kendrick is the kind of pitcher that walks the tightrope of defense and luck.

• Twitter / @jonmorosi - "#Phillies avoid arbitration with Kyle Kendrick, sign him for $3.585M."
• Twitter / @Phillies - "RHP Kyle Kendrick has agreed to a one-year, $3.585 million contract with Phillies, avoiding salary arbitration."