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There was some doubt as to whether Ian Kennedy would reject the Padres qualifying offer as they had hoped he would. But in doing so they get a draft pick and don't have to pay Kennedy $15.8 million. If he were to accept the offer, Ken Rosenthal tells us about the tight spot the Padres' A.J. Preller would be in:
Ian Kennedy could accept QO -- and still leave Pads | FOX Sports
A $15.8 million salary for Kennedy likely would put the Padres in a bind with their payroll -- a bind so acute, it could force the team to sign him to a multi-year contract at a lower average annual value and trade him.
But thankfully Kennedy remains a free agent and the team can move on and find a solution to their pitching troubles elsewhere.
Source: Kennedy REJECTING qualifying offer. Will remain free agent.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 13, 2015