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Ian Kennedy, the supposed ace of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was traded yesterday to the San Diego Padres.
It was one of the few moves of a high-profile player before the MLB trade deadline, and in return, the Diamondbacks get left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher, a AA-level pitching prospect, and a draft pick.
Two seasons ago, Kennedy was a candidate for the Cy Young award, posting a 21-4 record with a 2.88 ERA. He’d never had a season like that before, and he’s never had one since.
This year, his record is 3-8, with a 5.23 ERA.
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The key piece the Diamondbacks get in return is Thatcher, a 31-year-old, left-handed reliever, who has a 2.10 ERA in 50 appearances this year.
The Diamondbacks have two lefties in the bullpen, Matt Reynolds and Tony Sipp, but Reynolds has been injured for weeks now, and Sipp has been awful.
With the Diamondbacks now 3 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, something has to change.
Let’s hear from you: Do you approve the Kennedy trade?
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Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.
