Ian Kennedy Traded To Padres

Ian Kennedy, the Diamondbacks ace, has been traded to the Padres, from various reports. Kennedy seemed to be the D-Backs most moveable piece, as he has drawn plenty of interest from teams in need of a starting pitching.

Kennedy is 3-8 with a 5.23 ERA, and is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in his career at Petco park. Over his career, Kennedy has delievered a quality start 55% of the time. The Diamondbacks have gone 7-14 in Kennedy's starts. But, he has received 3.8 runs per outing, the lowest of his career. That may be the root of his tough year. If the Padres give Kennedy some support, he may be able to turn it around.

In return the Diamondbacks recieve pitchers Joe Thatcher and Matt Stites. Thatcher is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA. He has a WHIP of 1.06. Stites, down in Double-A, is 2-2 with a 2.08 ERA. His WHIP is 0.86.

Although the Padres are rebuilding, they are adding pieces to build around, not subtracting. They also are now unlikely to move Luke Gregerson because Thatcher has been moved. A good, buy low move for San Diego as they may have gotten an ace, just on a down year, and didn't have to pay "ace price."