Sep 19th 2008 6:26PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Adam Kennedy isn’t happy. He’s about to enter the final year of his contract, but considering he’s lost his starting job and doubts he’ll have a chance to earn it back, he’s getting a little nervous about the rest of his career. He took those concerns to Tony La Russa this week and asked for a trade. From the :
Kennedy said he recently approached La Russa regarding his status and was told by the manager that he no longer rated regular playing time. Kennedy emphasized that he appreciated La Russa’s honesty but believes it wrong to hold his career hostage.

“I think if anything, I know how he feels about me,” Kennedy said. “We sat down and he told me, ‘I’m honestly not going to play you because [Felipe Lopez] can do the job better.’ He’s been truthful with me. He hasn’t lied to me. I respect him for it. I think our relationship is pretty good. Like I said, he makes the moves.”
Now, some players would be content to leave it at that and then go sulk in the corner, but not Kennedy. Given a rare start in right field this afternoon, he put an exclamation mark on his request by blasting a grand slam in the first inning, ultimately finishing the game batting 4-for-5 with five RBI. If he hit like this all the time he wouldn’t be in the position he is now, but seriously, his timing is impeccable.