Ian Kennedy trade rumors: Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates interested in Kennedy
By Hayden Kane
There is a solid pitcher available as teams try to sure up their starting rotations for a playoff run. With the San Diego Padres busy answering phone calls, emails, and text messages about a number of players available in trades, Ian Kennedy is a reasonable target for teams hoping to add another arm.
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals might both be interested in Kennedy.
#Pirates, #Royals among teams that scouted #Padres’ Kennedy last night. Pirates looking for SP and RP. Royals keeping all options open.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 19, 2014
Kennedy has been through a mid-season trade before, moving to San Diego just last season in a bizarre deal by his bizarre former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. In this case he would be involved in more of a traditional deadline deal in that he would move from a team that is going nowhere and looking to rebuild to a team that hopes to make the playoffs.
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In 21 starts this season, Kennedy has been outstanding. He has a 3.62 ERA, an even stingier 2.98 FIP, his BB/9 are down to 2.6, and his K/9 are up to 9.5.
If wins and losses are more your measure, then you might be disappointed in his 7-9 record. In that case you might also be overlooking the fact that he is pitching for the Padres and on many nights the notion of “run support” is nothing more than something Kennedy hears about when he watches Athletics’ highlights.
As for the two potentially interested teams, the Royals and Pirates are both interesting suitors. Both teams could arguably use help on the offensive side of things more than on their pitching staff. Both teams also know, however, that you can never have too much pitching, so each might be looking to stack that part of their team even more so to overcome their occasionally lackluster offenses.