Ian Kennedy Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Padres P

Ian Kennedy isn't a difference-making starting pitcher, but the veteran right-hander can provide depth to a rotation down the stretch. That's probably going to be a sales pitch for the San Diego Padres as they look to move him before July 31. 

Continue for updates. 

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Fox Sports: Blue Jays Considering Kennedy

Tuesday, July 28

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the pitching-depleted Toronto Blue Jays are exploring "many options" including trading for Kennedy. 

The Blue Jays, who the lead all of MLB with 528 runs scored, have already made a splash to boost their potent lineup by dealing Jose Reyes and prospects to Colorado for Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins, per MLB Roster Moves. 

However, the addition of Tulowitzki didn't address the issue of Toronto's rotation which is tied for 24th in ERA and 25th in OPS against. 

The starting pitching market has already been set by the Cincinnati Reds, who received two high-level minor leaguers and one low-level upside arm from Kansas City in exchange for Johnny Cueto. 

Kennedy doesn't explicitly make the Blue Jays rotation better. He's got a 4.58 ERA with 22 home runs allowed in 96.1 innings pitching mostly in Petco Park. Like Cueto, he is also a free agent when the season ends.

As bad as those numbers are, the 30-year-old still misses bats at a good rate (8.3 per nine innings, per Baseball-Reference.com) and may just need a change of scenery. He's certainly not at Cueto's level, but the Blue Jays may feel their offense can offset some third- or fourth-tier starters. 

Stats via ESPN.com unless otherwise noted