Craig Kimbrel Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Padres RP

The San Diego Padres acquired Craig Kimbrel in April as the final piece to their all-in push at World Series contention. As the team continues its nosedive, though, Kimbrel is now one of many Padres players on the trade block.

Continue for updates.

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Yankees, Padres Talks Reportedly Stalled

Friday, July 31

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported talks between the Yankees and Padres broke down last night, leading the Yankees to possibly turn their attention to Marlins reliever Carter Capps. Rosenthal previously reported the Yankees were pushing hardest to acquire Kimbrel.

Jayson Stark of ESPN reported the Yankees were in overnight talks with the Padres about a potential deal for Kimbrel. Stark said the Yankees were willing to take on the closer's $29 million contract, but they were hesitant to include any of their top prospects in a deal.

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Astros Working Larger Deal for Kimbrel

Friday, July 31

Stark reported the Astros could be working on a larger deal that could include Tyson Ross.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the Astros' interest on July 27, although he cautioned they were hesitant about the long-term financial commitment to the closer.

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Nationals Interested in Kimbrel

Monday, July 27

The Nationals are the "hottest" team in pursuit of Kimbrel, according to Rosenthal. A friend of Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo believes he'll make a big move, per Rosenthal, saying, "I will almost bet my house that he will do something big."

Heyman added, "The Padres, in fact, suggested a return of shortstop Trea Turner in a potential package back from the Nats, according to sources, though word is the chances of that happening are somewhere between slim and none."

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Blue Jays Linked to Kimbrel

Monday, July 27

Heyman reported the Toronto Blue Jays were interested in Kimbrel in addition to the Nationals.

Kimbrel, 27, has posted 29 saves and struck out 12.6 batters per nine innings this season. He has been one of a select few bright spots in a disappointing San Diego season, as the Padres sit 47-52 despite acquiring a number of high-profile veterans this winter.

A large majority of those players, particularly on the offensive side, have been disappointments. Even Kimbrel isn't quite performing as well in 2015 as he did during his run in Atlanta. His strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate is the lowest of his career, he's allowing more baserunners than at any point since his rookie season and his ERA is more than a run higher than in 2014.

Kimbrel did not make the All-Star team this season for the first time since 2010, and he'll almost certainly finish outside the top 10 in Cy Young voting for the first time since that campaign.

Still, things are trending in the right direction. He came into June with a 4.74 ERA and has given up two earned runs in 20.1 innings since. Any team that acquires him also has control of his rights through his 30th birthday; his contract calls for guaranteed salaries of $11 million in 2016 and $13 million in 2017, with an additional club option at $13 million in 2018.

That's a more than reasonable number for one of the best closers in baseball—assuming he's able to keep that distinction.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.