Having already completed a deal with the Padres for third baseman Chase Headley, the Yankees are monitoring what the NL West club is going to do with right-hander Ian Kennedy before the July 31 deadline.
The Yankees had scout Joe Caro at Wrigley Field Wednesday night to watch Kennedy beat the Cubs, 8-3, despite a bout of wildness. In six innings, the former Yankee allowed three runs, three hits and walked five. He is 8-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 22 games this season.
A first-round pick of the Yankees in 2006 from USC, Kennedy pitched for the Yankees from 2007 to 2009 and went to the Diamondbacks in the three-team deal that brought Curtis Granderson from the Tigers following the 2009 season.
In his last five starts for the Padres, Kennedy is 3-0 with a 1.97 ERA.
Kennedy is appealing to teams because he has a year of arbitration remaining before becoming a free agent following the 2015 season. He makes $6.1 million this season.