Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Mattingly At Odds With Kemp, Prefers Pederson

[new_royalslider id=”50″] After a steady rehab process during Spring Training, Matt Kemp was activated from the disabled list in time for the Los Angeles Dodgers home opener.

Naturally rusty from missing plenty of time during the 2013, Kemp got off to a slow start that eventually cost him the starting job in center field.



Begrudgingly, Kemp was benched and moved to left field. The outfielder proclaimed himself a center fielder and expressed his desire to return to the position.

Manager Don Mattingly has indicated that opportunity won’t come with the Dodgers and according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the difference of opinion has caused a rift between Kemp and Mattingly:

Manager Don Mattingly and Kemp are at odds, sources say, in part because of Kemp’s publicly stated desire to return to center field. Informed recently by reporters that Kemp views himself as a center fielder, Mattingly said, “That’s fine. He can view himself however he wants. I’m playing him in left.”.

Mattingly recently referred to Joc Pederson as the best center fielder in the organization and it’s who he covets most, reports Rosenthal:

The Dodgers’ best defensive center fielder – and the one Mattingly wants most, according to sources – is Joc Pederson, a top prospect at Triple A.

Pederson was selected in the 11th round of the 2010 draft and is in his first season with the Albuquerque Isotopes. Through 86 games with the Isotopes, Pederson is hitting .317 and with a solo home run Wednesday, now has 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases.

Some of the rumored disconnect between Kemp and Mattingly may also be attributed to Kemp’s agent stating his client was open to being traded.

The 29-year-old later clarified on the report and said he’s happy with the Dodgers and simply wants to play every day.

Kemp’s immediate future may now include another position change — this time to right field. With Yasiel Puig recovering from a sore left hand, Kemp has started the last three games in right and played the position well.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Yasiel Puig’s Top Five Plays


Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

6 Comments

  1. I’m getting to the point in my life where I dont have time for drama and sports was always my escape. Sports more than ever includes so much drama. My point is that Kemp after Griffey retired is my last favorite player. I’m all team. Dave Stewart has opened his mouth for years now and If Kemp doesnt want to shut him up then he agrees with him. I really hope they trade Crawford or Ethier (cause he’s older) and if Pederson is striking out less bring him up and also play Van Slyke more. Dodgers should have played Konerko more and say Karros at the end of his career. Let’s not make that mistake again. Play em young while they still have the hunger and motivation. Damn near money ball is better in sports.

  2. I’m starting to get tired of Mattingly’s ideas. Kemp needs to stay in Center and Hanley needs to move to 3B.

  3. If the Dodgers decide to trade Matt Kemp, they will be one of the worst trades in their history. Matt will be great again. All the talk of him having diminished as a player in the Dodgers plans for winning World Series titles is the motivation he will use to become great again. The Dodgers should trade Ethier, Crawford, Joc Pederson and one of the their pitching prospects (anyone other than Urias) in a package. Scott Van Slyke should be in left everyday, Kemp in center and Puig in right.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button