The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten so accustomed to adding big-name talent and payroll over the last two years that the idea of them trading a superstar like Matt Kemp is insane.
Of course, when you already have a surplus of expensive outfielders on your roster, everyone becomes available for the right price.
Kemp has been the source of much trade speculation this offseason. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the former National League All-Star was getting a lot of attention at the winter meetings:
The #Dodgers getting plenty of action on Matt Kemp but say a deal unlikely to be consummated at winter meetings.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2013
Dave Stewart, who represents Kemp, told ESPN’s Jayson Stark that the Dodgers don’t plan to move Kemp this offseason:
Matt Kemp’s agent, Dave Stewart, says #Dodgers informed him today “they have no plans to move him.” More to come at http://t.co/J9TlkjRmi3
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 11, 2013
Who knows what’s really going on behind the scenes in Hollywood?
All of this uncertainty has piqued our interest, getting us to think about which teams could make a deal for Kemp. These are teams with money to absorb Kemp’s contract, prospects to offer the Dodgers and a need in center field.
Putting together packages for Kemp is more difficult than it might seem, because no one knows how healthy he is heading into spring training. For the purposes of this discussion, we will assume he can be the MVP candidate from 2011 once again.
Note: All stats courtesy of Fangraphs and Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.