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.
Advertisement
Boston has also been rumored to have interest in Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco as the Red Sox certainly have the means to complete a deal.
It’s still far too early to know what the Red Sox might be offering.
Ross’s name has been thrown around as a popular trade target, with the Padres expected to be shopping players at the deadline. The 28-year old Ross isn’t arbitration eligible yet and won’t hit free agency until after the 2017 season, so he fits the mold of the type of pitcher Boston is targeting. Ross is tied for the most starts (22) in all of baseball after taking the ball 31 times last season, amassing 195 2/3 innings.
Ross has posted a 3.07 ERA, 9.1 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 over the past three seasons with the Padres. He does have the benefit of pitching in spacious Petco Park, but Ross’ road ERA – 2.63 – is almost two runs better than his 4.47 home ERA. But the official said that it seemed less likely Friday morning that the Yankees would acquire Kimbrel, who is one of the best closers in baseball. He’s having another fine season in 2015 with 30 saves and 56 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings.
Advertisement
The Yankees have long been considered the favorite to acquire the flame-throwing righty, should San Diego choose to deal him.
