San Diego appears open to selling and Craig Kimbrel will likely be moved before Friday. According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Yankees are interested in Kimbrel, with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal adding the Nationals are the team that is the "hottest" after the veteran closer.
Although the Yankees have been connected to Kimbrel, they do not appear to be open to dealing top prospects, which the Padres might pursue in any potential deal. Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Jorge Mateo, and Greg Bird all appear to be off limits and New York might have to alter its strategy if it is seriously considering adding Kimbrel.
While the Yankees might not be open to trading top young players, the Nationals likely have the depth to get a deal done. Drew Storen has had success in the back of Washington's bullpen however the Nationals' relief core has otherwise been inconsistent.
Heyman adds the Blue Jays and Astros have also shown interest in Kimbrel over the last few weeks. Toronto's bullpen has struggled throughout 2015 and the Blue Jays might be able to afford him since Mark Buehrle, Dioner Navarro, R.A. Dickey, Maicer Izturis, and Marco Estrada are all set to become free agents at the end of the season. Houston, on the contrary, might not be in a position to pay Kimbrel after adding Scott Kazmir and still seeking other upgrades.
The Padres are expected to unload several players with large contracts over the next few days and Kimbrel will likely be among them. He is currently in year two of a four-year, $42 million contract that runs through 2017 and includes an option year. At 27, he has posted a 2.75 ERA and 2.48 FIP over 39.1 innings.