Ian Kennedy to the Padres

[Arizona_Sting]

The Padres have bolstered their rotation for the present and future, acquiring righty Ian Kennedy from the division rival Diamondbacks for lefty reliever Joe Thatcher, Double-A reliever Matt Stites, and a compensation round B draft pick, according to a tweet from MLB.com's Corey Brock. It's a surprisingly light haul for Kennedy, a 28-year-old who is under team control through 2015 as an arbitration eligible player.
-MLBTR

Stites is a highly regarded reliever prospect and has closer potential. Thatcher is a solid lefty out of the pen and is only 31 (decent age for a reliever) and he won't become a FA until 2015. Nice move for AZ. Trading Kennedy alone is addition by subtraction and now adding a nice bullpen piece should only make us better.

I will admit though that I can see Kennedy doing well in Petco. Nice buy low for them.

 

[The Derski]

 

[Arizona_Sting]

We also receives draft pick in the 70-80 range... that is something.

 

[HammerDown]

I'm not happy at all giving up a situational lefty reliever, a prospect and a pick for a starter with an ERA north of 5 except for the fact that his contract is controllable.

The Padres will have the best starting rotation in the division next season.

 

[The Derski]

I have no idea why on God's green earth anyone would actually want Kennedy... and enough to give up three players. Mind boggling.

 

[ugafan6612]

Kennedy sucks, this looks like a steal for AZ

 

[Davis_Mike]

This is way more than I expected to get for Kennedy. I understand why the Padres did the deal, but that is a lot to give up for just the "chance" that Petco can revive Kennedy's career.

Add:
-A top level LOOGY.
-A young 8th/9th BP arm of the future.
-A top 100 pick in 2014.

Subtract:
-A 6.00 ERA from the Rotation.
-Using Sipp

Equals a win in my book. Now we just need a team to "bite" on a Kubel trade.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Bad as Kennedy has been this year and much of last year, I won't be surprised if he turns it around in SD. Much friendlier home park for pitchers and he was very good only a couple of years ago. Not really that unusual for pitchers to be inconsistent from year to year.

 

[HammerDown]

The more I learn about Matt Stites, the less I like this trade for the Padres. I understand the allure, but they gave up too much for Kennedy. I'm assuming they extrapolated data that showed Petco would be very favorable to his pitching.

If this guy can be a solid #3 pitcher for us, we'll have the best rotation in the division to start next season.

 

[HammerDown]

You guys are going to love Thatcher. I already miss him and I know Bud Black will as well.

 

[Jonas_steven]

I absolutely love this trade. Kennedy has hit some type of mental block and was going to progress no farther during his time in arizona. I could actually see him getting it figured out and coming back to bite us later. Best of luck Ian, you will need it!

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Thatcher is like a left handed Ziegler. This is an awesome move for us. Im also excited to see Stites move through the system quickly. Wonder if we see him this year... throws 96+ and has closer "stuff"

 

[HammerDown]

 

[HammerDown]

D'backs fans love the trade and Padres fans are very apprehensive.

 

[Jonas_steven]

[MEDIA=twitter]362656444685889536[/MEDIA]

Will you guys trade Kelly crull for Jody Jackson and a field reporter to be named later?!?!

 

[HammerDown]

Will you guys trade Kelly crull for Jody Jackson and a field reporter to be named later?!?!

She's hot as fuck.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

D'backs fans love the trade and Padres fans are very apprehensive.

Don't feel TOO bad, I hate Kennedy and think his one good year was a fluke but pitching in Petco half the year as apposed to Chase Field will certainly help. He won't go back to his 2011 form anytime soon but I could see him sitting around a 4.00 era or so for you guys. He really needed a change of scenery. THANK GOD HE'S GONE

 

[Jonas_steven]

I feel for you, padre fans! Josh Byrnes worked his "magic" around here for years...

 

[Jonas_steven]

The Astros got very little in return for bud Norris! I am not a huge fan of the guy but we could have gotten him for Chris owings and another mid level prospect.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Ian Kennedy and Carlos Quentin on the same team? Look out, Zach Greinke. One will charge you while the other tries to take your head off with a fastball...