Dodgers News: Matt Kemp’s Agent Says Outfielder Doesn’t Want Trade
It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers have made it clear they’d be interested in moving one of their extra outfielders, but GM Ned Colletti has been adamant that they aren’t seeking deals.
Rather, Colletti and president Stan Kasten stated that if a team presents them with an offer they like, they’d entertain it. Matt Kemp’s name is out there with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers reportedly inquiring about his services, but according to his agent Dave Stewart, via Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the 29-year-old doesn’t want a trade:
He’s not comfortable with it. Matt wants to be a Dodger. That’s where he wants to play, where he hopefully wants to end his career. On the other side of the coin, you can only control the things you control — and that’s to go out and play.
In the article, Stewart says Kemp understands the nature of the business and if he’s traded he’d prefer it being to a contender. However, Kemp is coming off two surgeries and while the hope is he comes back at the start of Spring Training, who knows if he can stay healthy for 2014.
Another scenario that’s presented itself is a possible trade with the Rangers centering around Ian Kinsler and Andre Ethier as the contracts are somewhat similar and the Dodgers wouldn’t have to eat as much money if they dealt Kemp. Ethier has four years and $70 million remaining on his contract while Kemp and even Carl Crawford have over $100 million for the next 5+ years.
Colletti and Kasten both acknowledged they want to get younger, particularly in the outfield and if one of the four has to go, my money is on Ethier. Kemp still has the potential to have a repeat of his 2011 season and coming off significant injuries, his value is at the lowest it could possibly be.
Look for the Dodgers to try and move one of the outfielders, but I’d be shocked if Kemp is the one Colletti and company decide to move during the off-season.
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ICYMI: The Texas Rangers and Dodgers talked trade at the GM Meetings.
