Ian Kennedy trade rumors: Royals, Pirates, Marlins interested in Kennedy

Ian Kennedy has bounced back and is having an outstanding season for the San Diego Padres. Having already been traded once at the trade deadline as something of a castoff, he might be on the move mid-season this time around because of the high quality of his performance.

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Kennedy is appealing for reasons beyond his 3.66 ERA and even more impressive 3.10 FIP. He is only making $6.1 million this season and is under team control through next season. He is arbitration eligible this off-season and will be due a nice raise, but the fact that he is not a true rental will hold appeal for teams.

It also keeps the market more wide open for the considerations of his current team, the San Diego Padres. Teams that are on the edges of the playoff race do not have to work so hard to justify a deal for Kennedy when he can also be part of their plans for next season.

With that in mind, the list of teams still interested in trading for Kennedy makes sense. Per Ken Rosenthal:

Of course the same reasons that he holds appeal to a number of teams also might persuade the Padres to just keep Kennedy, as mentioned here.

Kennedy might not grab headlines like some of the other pitchers available, but he will slot quite nicely into the no. 2 or 3 spot in some team’s rotation for a playoff push.

Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumblings from the baseball hot stove this trade season.