Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick has been defending his team’s spending habits in recent days, after criticism arose over the signing of free agent Corbin Burnes. Manager Torey Lovullo came to Kendrick’s defense, citing his history of supporting him and general manager Mike Hazen since their arrival in 2017.
Lovullo stated that Kendrick has consistently demonstrated a willingness to spend money when necessary, highlighting the increases in payroll and reinvestments made by the team in recent years. The additions of pitchers Zack Greinke (2016), Madison Bumgarner (2020), Eduardo Rodriguez (2024), Jordan Montgomery (2024), and now Burnes demonstrate Kendrick’s commitment to building a competitive team.
Kendrick acknowledged that he carries the perception of being a non-spender, but emphasized his willingness to invest in players when there’s an opportunity to get a return. He expressed his desire to have some additional success before retiring, saying “I’m kind of aging out on this.” The signing of Burnes is seen as a significant move by the team, and Kendrick’s leadership is being scrutinized as they navigate the team’s financial situation amid plans for a Chase Field renovation.
Kendrick also stated that the team was not initially prioritizing Burnes but were inspired to make him an offer after learning of his interest. The massive six-year, $210 million contract with an opt-out clause has sparked both praise and criticism from fans and analysts alike. As the team moves forward, it remains to be seen how Kendrick’s leadership will impact the team’s chances of success in the coming seasons.
Source: https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/ken-kendrick/3570469