Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Mariners Express Interest In Acquiring Matt Kemp

It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers have made three of their high-priced outfielders available for trade and this morning a potential trading partner was identified. Of the three, Matt Kemp seems like the least likeliest to be traded since he still has tons of money owed to him in the next six years and he’s arguably the face of the franchise.

However, that hasn’t stopped one team from exploring the Dodgers interest in trading the 29-year-old outfielder according to Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com:



Last winter it was the Mariners expressing interest in another Dodgers outfielder, Andre Ethier, but nothing materialized to the point where a trade was even discussed.

At the GM Meetings this week, general manager Ned Colletti didn’t sound too thrilled about the idea of trading one of the outfielders, citing the Dodgers had eight starting pitchers in Spring Training and found themselves with just three healthy ones midway through the season.

Kemp is the one with most significant injuries as he’s recovering from ankle and shoulder surgery, but should be ready for Spring Training according to his agent. The Mariners have already been linked to Carlos Beltran and Nelson Cruz early in free agency, but it’s unclear what type of package they could offer the Dodgers.

They have pro-ready minor league pitching prospects in Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen, catcher Mike Zunino and young third baseman Kyle Seager (brother of Dodgers prospect Corey). The Dodgers could also ask for infielder/outfielder Dustin Ackley, but it’s unclear where he’d play with the team. In any Kemp deal, the Dodgers will have to eat a significant amount of money, but a deal with the Mariners doesn’t seem to fit.

For the next few months there will continue to be rumors about the Dodgers outfield, but the Mariners expressing interest in Kemp is the first time a team has been identified as interested in the star center fielder.

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ICYMI: The Mets could be targeting two of the Dodgers high-priced outfielders this winter.

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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