Report: Red Sox, Padres have discussed swapping Cespedes for Kennedy

The Boston Red Sox remain eager to dispose of an outfielder or two this offseason while also improving their shaky rotation, and they may have found a trading partner who can help on both fronts.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Red Sox have discussed a trade with the San Diego Padres that would send outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the west coast in exchange for right-hander Ian Kennedy - both of whom will become free agents after the 2015 season.

Though Kennedy showed signs of improvement in 2014 after struggling mightily the two seasons prior - he fashioned a 3.63 ERA with a career-best 24.5 percent strikeout rate  this past season - the Red Sox reportedly believe they can get a better starter (Detroit Tigers righty Rick Porcello) for Cespedes.

However, the Red Sox head into the annual winter meetings without considerable leverage, as it's widely known throughout the industry that the club will attempt to trade from their surplus of outfielders this winter. Cespedes, though, posted a career-best 3.4 WAR over 152 games last season while hitting .260/.301/.450 with 22 home runs.

The Padres, meanwhile, are eager to inject some talent into their anemic lineup, as newly hired general manager A.J. Preller remains tasked with improving the worst offense in the majors.