Dodgers News: Ned Colletti Talks Outfield, Trading Prospects

Now that most of the top tier outfielders are off the board, a lot of the attention has shifted to the Los Angeles Dodgers outfield situation. General manager Ned Colletti has stated in the past that he isn’t calling teams about his four outfielders, but several teams have expressed interest.

Teams like the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners are seen as teams most interested in an outfielder and Matt Kemp is drawing all the attention. Talking to the media this afternoon, Colletti discussed his mindset with his surplus of outfielders via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:

Colletti: “We can’t sell off (an OF) to sell off.” FA OF list next couple years is “not overloaded.”

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 7, 2013

In all rumors surrounding Kemp and any other outfielder, a return package hasn’t been discussed. Will Middlebrooks from the Red Sox or young middle infielders from the Seattle Mariners could be enticing in a trade. If other Tier A outfielders Nelson Cruz and Shin-Soo Choo don’t sign with the teams stated above, the Dodgers could have a lot of leverage.

Colletti and president Stan Kasten have talked a great length about their desire to get younger and highly touted prospect Joc Pederson is waiting in the wings at Double A. The Dodgers farm system has been a focal point for management as there have been rumblings about possibly trading for Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price.

Along with the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates, the Dodgers are seen as a team that can make a strong offer for the star pitcher and via Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com, they would be open to dealing the kids:

Colletti said he would be open to trading for prospects (again, if helping the club long term) or MLB players. “We could do it either way.”

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) December 7, 2013

Prospects like Pederson, Corey Seager, Zack Lee and Ross Stripling would all be of interest and a lot will depend on whether or not Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is posted.

While rumors persist around Kemp, it doesn’t sound like Colletti is in any rush to deal one of the four outfielders as the deal would have to make sense in the present and future.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

ICYMI: The Dodgers and reliever Brian Wilson agreed to a one-year deal