UPDATE: It appears as if no deal will be made.
Source: #Yankees told #Padres they would have put Mateo in deal for Kimbrel. No go. NYY expects that Kimbrel will be traded somewhere else.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
Been told #Yankees have had "zero talks" with #Padres about Kimbrel. 36 minutes to deadline
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2015
Again hearing no traction with #Yankees and Kimbrel.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
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UPDATE: More conflicting reports...
#Yankees under belief #Padres working on bigger deal elsewhere includes Kimbrel. Been told SD will NOT deal with NYY unless Mateo in deal
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2015
There haven't been Craig Kimbrel discussions between the Padres and Yankees so far in this workday.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 31, 2015
More on Kimbrel: Now told #Yankees' talks for him broke down yesterday and have not revived today. #Marlins' Capps an option, as others say.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
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UPDATE: The Yankees could be closer to landing Kimbrel.
Source: #Yankees are team in hottest pursuit of #Padres' Kimbrel.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
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UPDATE: Here are a couple of developments that could affect a deal between the Yankees and Padres:
Sources: #RedSox talking to Padres, as @jerrycrasnick said. Ross one target; BOS has prospects to expand deal and perhaps include Kimbrel.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
The #Yankees are one of five teams aggressively pursuing #Reds Chapman to be their closer.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2015
yankees are waiting on SD and kimbrel but may turn to marlins carter capps instead
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2015
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The New York Yankees have been dealing with some issues in their starting rotation, but perhaps they found a way to fix it: make the bullpen unhittable. The latest rumors link them to one of the top closers in the MLB.
New York is in trade discussions with the San Diego Padres regarding closer Craig Kimbrel, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark and Buster Olney. Kimbrel was acquired by the Padres in the offseason, but now with San Diego underperforming, he is more than likely going to be a trade casualty because of his big contract.
"The Padres spoke overnight with both the New York Yankees and Houston Astros about deals involving their all-star closer, sources told ESPN.com, and were attempting to come to an agreement on prospects and how much of the approximately $29 million remaining on Kimbrel's contract each team would pick up," Stark added this morning.
The Houston Astros are also interested in Kimbrel, who owns a 2.68 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 30 saves and 56 strikeouts in 42 games (40 1/3 innings), but they've already made two significant trades and may not have the financial resources to inherit his salary. It's been said the Padres are looking to move their expensive players, so it doesn't appear as if they'd be willing to cover a large portion of his deal.
"The Yankees have expressed a willingness to pay all of the $28 million remaining through 2017 on Kimbrel's deal, but it isn't known what they are offering in the way of players," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote late last night. "They declined to surrender shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo."
Tons of outside executives think #Yankees will get Kimbrel. Keep in mind many also thought they would get top SP.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2015
#Padres, #Yankees worked overnight on deal to send Craig Kimbrel to NY. #Astros also in on Kimbrel. More to come at https://t.co/gtnhE8jsM2
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2015
Stark also noted the Yankees will not surrender prospects Luis Severino (RHP), Aaron Judge (OF) or Greg Bird (1B).
New York has been linked to Kimbrel for a few days now, and considering the Nationals acquired Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies and the Blue Jays received LaTroy Hawkins from the Rockies, the Yankees could be in a good position to land the right-hander.
