Dodgers Rumors: Red Sox No Longer Eyeing Kemp In Potential Trade
Although, the outfield picture did take a surprise turn when Mattingly removed Kemp from center field and placed him in left. It required an adjustment for the Dodgers’ $100 million-plus dollar man, but Kemp appears to have settled in at his new position.
Kemp’s uptick in production as of late has coincided with whispers the Dodgers are shopping their outfielders, with Puig being the exception. However, the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reported general manager Ned Colletti told him Kemp will not be traded.
In need of outfield help, the Boston Red Sox were believed to be one of the teams Kemp could potentially be traded to, but that no longer appears to be the case, reports Rob Bradford of Full Count:
According to a major league source, there is “nothing going on” regarding the Red Sox and a possible acquisition of Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.
The cease in interest comes after reports the Red Sox were scouting Kemp, who is hitting .329 in June, which has by far been his best month this season. While the Red Sox may no longer be interested in acquiring Kemp, the general consensus is he will be moved, via Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:
Many in the industry, however, believe he ultimately will be moved — most likely in the offseason — due to his tempestuous relationship with some of his superiors.
Should the Dodgers decide to trade any of their big-name outfielders they’ll likely have to assume a significant portion of the traded player’s salary. Following this season, Kemp is owed $107 million over five years.
With the large salaries coupled with Colletti voicing his opinion against moving an outfielder, it would come as somewhat of a surprise if the Dodgers completed a trade that involved Crawford, Andre Ethier or Kemp.
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With Scott Van Slyke more than capable of playing the outfield (especially center field) and the eventual emergence of Joc Pederson, it would behoove the Dodgers to try to trade at least one, if not two, of their outfielders. I would try to move Ethier first, then Crawford. Like ’em both, but there’s just no room.
Although still a good player, Kemp has leveled off his performance at a relatively young age of 29 – his best season was back in ’11 and he has continued to decline since then. Many say he’s lazy, others that he’s playing hurt, and others still that he just doesn’t have the the same hunger for the game as when he was younger (due to getting many millions).