The Dodgers are reportedly willing to listen to offers on Matt Kemp, and his agent (Dave Stewart) has gone public saying he expects his client to be traded
The 2013 MLB Winter Meetings are underway and much like last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the team with the most buzz.
Unlike last year when the Dodgers were tied to virtually every big name free agent, this year general manager Ned Colletti is looking to move one of their three outfielders: Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. The Dodgers don’t really have a glaring “need”. They could add a back of the rotation starter or a third baseman, or if the rumors floating around Orlando are true, the Dodgers could be in on Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price.
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti talks to fans at the annual fanfest
In order for any deal to take place, the Dodgers will have to part with prospects – something they are hesitant to do. They will also have to eat a large portion of either Ethier or Kemp’s contract. Ethier is the most likely to be moved according to people I spoke to. They said this based on his contract and the Dodgers reluctance to deal Kemp. I was told the Dodgers feel that Kemp is not only a better player than Ethier but also a player that can lead the franchise to a World Series title and a better leader in the clubhouse.
Why would the Dodgers want to move Kemp? It dates back to the end of the 2013 season. I was told that Kemp and an assistant of Dodgers partner Magic Johnson got into a heated argument and it caused some friction between upper management and Kemp. I was also told that Kemp was unhappy with the way his rehab (from the injury that happened late in the year) was handled by the Dodgers. I was told late Sunday night that Kemp’s agent, former A’s and Dodgers pitcher Dave Stewart, and the Dodgers have since talked and both parties are “good with each other.”
But who are “in on Kemp” and what could the Dodgers get in return for their star center fielder? Let’s take a look at the teams and the possible prospects involved in a potential Kemp deal:
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners are looking to add a power-hitting outfielder to hit behind new second baseman Robinson Cano. Kemp fits the bill and would give the Mariners a nice 3-4-5 middle of the order with Cano, Kemp and young power-hitting Kyle Seager, not to mention a Gold Glove in centerfield. The Mariners also have the farm system that could bring the Dodgers a nice haul of prospects. Three names that would interest the Dodgers: Third baseman DJ Peterson (the Mariners 2013 1st round pick), shortstop Chris Taylor and left-handed pitcher Tyler Pike. The Major League player that could be a player the Dodgers request is infielder Nick Franklin – the Mariners’ second baseman last year.
Pike reminds scouts of former Braves pitcher and future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine. He has a high 80s to low 90s fastball and his curveball shows potential but needs to be tightened up. Pike also has a changeup that really came along nicely in 2013. He is athletic and hides the ball well which makes it difficult for hitters. Peterson is a pure hitter with a compact stroke that allows him to compensate his open stance. He isn’t a great defensive player and would most likely have to be moved to either first base or left field. A former scout I spoke with said that Peterson reminds him of “a more athletic Billy Butler.” Taylor has the label of “all glove and no bat” but is quickly shedding that label in the minor leagues. Last year he hit a combined .312 last year with 43 steals and 9 homeruns.
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox let Jacoby Ellsbury walk to their rival New York Yankees this offseason and have publicly stated that Jackie Bradley Jr. would be the person that they would like to replace him. But Bradley is unproven and the Red Sox would love to have him in left field and Kemp in center. The Red Sox have a very good farm system and would take most of Kemp’s salary on. The Dodgers would most likely start any trade discussions with talented third baseman Garin Cecchini and catching prospect Blake Swihart. As for Major Leaguers that could come to L.A. – third baseman Will Middlebrooks and possibly former Dodgers pitching prospect Allen Webster.
Swihart, is a catching prospect that has all the tools to be not only a very good backstop but also a very good hitter at the Major League level as well. Swihart would be the Dodgers future behind the plate and fill a huge need to the Dodgers going forward. Swinhart is also a switch hitter, something that scouts love. Cecchini is a former short stop that not only play excellent defense, but also has a smooth swing and his power is increasing. He is more MLB ready then Swinhart and could be a cornerstone for the Dodgers going forward.
Texas Rangers: The Rangers are the team that could provide the Dodgers with an immediate MLB player, such as shortstop Elvis Andrus, but that seems unlikely since the Rangers insist that they want to have an Andrus-Jurickson Profar middle infield in 2014. Their farm system is not a talented as the Red Sox or Mariners, but they have some power arms that the Dodgers would have interest in. Third baseman Joey Gallo and power pitching RHP Luke Jackson are two players that could be available in any deal for Kemp.
Jackson tops out at 98 mph and stays in the mid 90’s with his fastball. He has a plus potential curveball and a developing change up. He projects as a mid to the top of rotation starter depending on his command. Gallo is a guy that has big time power potential and is surprising good fielder. Gallo does strikeout a ton and is a taller (6’5) third baseman and some scouts think he is an Adam Dunn clone.
As for the Dodgers attempt to trade for the Rays’ Price: They are one of 3 teams that have had advanced talks with the Rays. I was told that Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford and at least two of their prospects have been discussed. The Dodgers would eat a good portion of the contract going over to Tampa should a deal happen. I was told that they prefer Price to Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka because he is left-handed and a proven MLB ace. They love his make-up and think that a top of a rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Price with Hyun Jin-Ryu and Dan Haren would be the best in baseball. A source told me that no deal is likely to happen within the next 24 hours and the Rays may choose to play out the talks to get a bigger return than last year when they traded James Shields to the Royals.
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