In 2009 the Yankees sent former starting pitcher Ian Kennedy to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team trade that landed Curtis Granderson in New York. Well, Curtis Granderson is now on the other New York baseball team, and the Yanks are looking to acquire Kennedy from the San Diego Padres.
After a short, injury-plagued, and unimpressive stint with the New York Yankees, starting pitcher Ian Kennedy was subject of trade talks going into the 2010 season. The starting pitcher was young and teams were interested in his potential and the Yanks figured he was expendable. In an effort to acquire one more bat to bolster their lineup, the Yankees traded Kennedy to the Diamondbacks and Austin Jackson and Phil Coke to the Tigers to acquire outfielder Curtis Granderson from Detroit. Although Granderson was productive, Kennedy showed his worth in Arizona after posting a 21-4 record with a 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 198 strikeouts in 2011.
The Diamondbacks then traded Kennedy to the San Diego Padres where he has been since 2013. This year he has an 8-9 record with a 3.66 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. According to sources, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is talking with the Padres about making a trade for the former Yank. New York is looking to do all they can to patch up the pitching staff after losing CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova for the year and likely Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda as well. As of today, their starting rotation consists of Hiroki Kuroda (3.25 ERA), David Phelps (4.03 ERA), recently acquired Brandon McCarthy (3-0 with a 1.45 ERA since joining the team), Shane Greene (2.79 ERA in four starts since being called up from the minors), and Chase Whitley (5.21 ERA).
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported on Thursday that the Yankees are interested in Kennedy, but as of now aren't willing to surrender prospects and former first-round picks Eric Jagielo and Ian Clarkin at the Padres request. Kennedy is making $6.1 million this season and is also under contract in 2015 and eligible for arbitration. New York is not limiting themselves to a trade with the San Diego, as they acquired starting pitcher Chris Capuano from the Colorado Rockies on Thursday evening and are also continuing talks with them regarding starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa. Capuano had a rough start with the Red Sox this year, but ever since joining the Rockies, he's posted a 2.79 ERA in four Triple-A starts.
The Yankees are in desperate need of pitching depth after being hit with the injury bug this year, but despite the losses, New York is only one game out of first place in the American League Eastern Division behind the Toronto Blue Jays. Joe Girardi has done a good job of working with what he's got, but he'll need more help to make the playoffs.
You can read more about the Yankees pursuit of Ian Kennedy in this NJ.com article.
