Report: Padres, Red Sox have discussed Cespedes, Kennedy trade
The Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres have reportedly discussed a trade involving left fielder Yoenis Cespedes and right-hander Ian Kennedy, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Rosenthal also reports the Red Sox believe Cespedes could net them an "even better pitcher." Kennedy, who will turn 30 on Dec. 19, went 13-13 and posted a 3.63 ERA, 207 strikeouts and 70 walks in 201 innings for the Padres last season. San Diego acquired Kennedy in a July 2013 trade.
Cespedes, 29, hit .269 in 51 games for the Red Sox last year after the Oakland Athletics traded him for left-hander Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes. In October, reports surfaced that the Red Sox could be looking to trade Cespedes, who will earn $10.2 million in 2015. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Cespedes hasn't committed to the idea of negotiating a long-term deal with the Red Sox and also doesn't want to play right field. After signing Cuba's Rusney Castillo in August, Boston has several outfield options aside from Cespedes in Shane Victorino, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Daniel Nava and Brock Holt.
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The Red Sox have already had a busy offseason after signing third baseman Pablo Sandoval and shortstop Hanley Ramirez as free agents. Ramirez could also move to the outfield for Boston.
Cespedes and Kennedy are entering contract years, and a need to generate offense could be prompting the Padres to offer pitchers in trades this offseason. San Diego's starting rotation allowed 3.56 runs per game last season, second-fewest in the National League behind the Washington Nationals. Its lineup, however, produced the fewest runs (535) in the NL.
San Diego finished 77-85, third in the NL West. Boston finished 71-91, last in the AL East.
- Mike Fiammetta
