Orioles Get Catcher Kennedy for Pitcher Davis

The Baltimore Orioles acquired catcher Terry Kennedy, a .272 career hitter, in a trade Thursday, almost a year after they first tried to obtain the San Diego catcher.

While giving up promising pitcher Storm Davis to fill a gaping hole in their lineup, the Orioles also acquired minor league pitching prospect Mark Williamson in the three-player swap.

“We tried to obtain Kennedy in a deal a year ago, at the winter baseball meetings,” General Manager Hank Peters said, “but we couldn’t complete it.”

Peters called it an even swap, saying: “Anytime you give up a young starting pitcher, you’ve paid a high price. But anytime you give up an everyday catcher, you’ve paid a high price.”

Jack McKeon, Padre general manager, said Davis would have been sent to Philadelphia for a couple of players who were not identified, but that part of the deal collapsed. The Padres reportedly were interested in obtaining Phillie outfielder Gary Redus.

“At one time, there was a possibility of working a three-way trade whereby Davis would have been turned over to the Phillies for a couple of players,” McKeon said. “At this particular time, it’s out, but I’m not saying it can’t be rekindled.”

Apparently, the uncertain status of Padre right-hander LaMarr Hoyt, who was charged this week with trying to smuggle hundreds of illegal pills through the San Ysidro border checkpoint, also prompted the Padres to make a deal involving an experienced pitcher. Davis has a 54-40 career mark and was 9-12 in an injury-hampered season this year.

Williamson, 27, was rated the top reliever in the Pacific Coast League this year with a 10-3 record and 16 saves for Las Vegas.