KENNEDY GOES FROM 'ZONA TO THE PADS
The San Diego Padres acquired pitcher Ian Kennedy from the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Joe Thatcher and Matt Stites.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
It's rare that division rivals make important trades but this one makes sense for all parties involved. In Kennedy, the Padres land an underachieving starter who can lead the staff. San Diego has had a wealth of injury woes to their starting rotation, so the 28-year-old Kennedy should be a welcome addition. He has struggled badly in Arizona this season but a move back home (he's from Huntington Beach, California) could revive Kennedy's career.
What does it give the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks were motivated to move Kennedy because they are getting back starters {P Brandon McCarthy} and {P Trevor Cahill} from the disabled list soon, so they needed to make a move anyway. They also wanted to bolster the bullpen, which lefty Thatcher should do. Thatcher will join the currently disabled {P Matt Reynolds} and {P Tony Sipp} as southpaws out of the 'pen. Stites is another reliever who may help Arizona down the road.
Fantasy impact
Kennedy's fantasy value should greatly improve pitching half the time at PETCO Park in San Diego, as opposed to Chase Field in Arizona. Thatcher's fantasy value may also increase because there could be more opportunities for holds (and possibly even a few save chances). Stites may eventually have some value as a late-inning reliever for the D'backs, but not yet.
