Padres trade rumors: Craig Kimbrel claimed off waivers, unlikely to be traded

Padres' closer Craig Kimbrel has been claimed off revocable trade waivers by an undisclosed team, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. One club official told Rosenthal that the Padres have no intention of trading Kimbrel, meaning a deal is very unlikely.

Kimbrel was the subject of constant trade rumors throughout the month of July, being tied to the Yankees, Nationals and other clubs before the Padres decided to stand pat and hold onto their veterans in an effort to compete for the rest of the season. They have placed a few players on revocable waivers this month, with Ian Kennedy and Joaquin Benoit being claimed and pulled back and outfielder Will Venable being traded to the Rangers.

Kimbrel, 27, has posted a 1-2 record and 2.88 ERA while saving 36 games for the Padres in his first major-league season outside of Atlanta. He is under team control through the 2018 season and will be owed $26 million over the next two seasons if his club option for 2018 is picked up.

While almost every team in the league would be interested in claiming Kimbrel due to his past success and contract, it is unknown which club put in the claim at this time. If San Diego makes him available after the season, the Yankees will likely be interested in building a three-headed bullpen monster of Kimbrel, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller.