Trade rumors: Padres need to be overwhelmed to trade Ian Kennedy

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the San Diego Padres aren’t anxious to deal right-handed starter Ian Kennedy, who has been oft-mentioned in trade rumors as the July 31 deadline approaches.

"The Padres have sent word to some teams that they would need to be overwhelmed to trade Ian Kennedy, sources said. Or at least that’s the message being received."

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A former first-round pick of the New York Yankees back in 2006, Kennedy has pitched for New York, Arizona and, currently, San Diego. This season with the Padres, Kennedy is 8-9 with a 3.66 earned run average in 22 starts. He has a 1.219 WHIP, allowing 123 hits in 135 1/3 innings of work – roughly on pace with his 1.262 career mark.

Heyman reports that the team, having already dealt closer Huston Street and third baseman Chase Headley, who just a few years ago appeared to be one of the best-hitting players in the game, isn’t particularly inclined to deal Kennedy unless they get what they’re looking for in return.

"But for today, it appears the Padres aren’t resigned to dealing either Kennedy or reliever Joaquin Benoit after trading both Headley and closer Huston Street, and will seek substantial returns for both. Both remaining Padres are tied to the team for next year, with Kennedy arbitration eligible and Benoit due to make $8 million."

The team that drafted Kennedy, the Yankees, are desperately seeking starting pitching help after injuries decimated their rotation, taking down C.C. Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka – to name a few. After working with the Padres to acquire Headley, it’s not completely out of the question New York targets Kennedy in the week leading up to the deadline.

That being said, it would require New York parting ways with more prospects, after already having a weaker system in the game and having dealt a pair of prospects to San Diego in the deal to acquire Headley.