LA Dodgers Trade: Matt Kemp Headed to the Padres
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly agreed to part ways with their outfielder Matt Kemp. Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Dodgers have traded Kemp to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster deal.
In the trade, the Dodgers will send Kemp, the $31 million owed to him in his $107 million salary and catcher Tim Federowicz in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitchers Joe Wieland and Zach Elfin.
"We obviously traded away some very good players tonight,'' said Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, reported by USA TODAY Sports. "But we feel with the totality of the moves ourselves, we made ourselves a better team.''
Kemp, 30, finished last season hitting .287 with 35 homeruns and 89 RBI. In 2011, his impressive numbers (39 homeruns, 126 RBI and 40 stolen bases) made him a contender for the MVP. He finished second to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, Ryan Braun. In the following season, Kemp suffered from injuries that sidelined for 145 games.
"Going to bed (Tuesday) night we didn't necessarily expect this to all come together,'' Friedman said, Bob Nightengale with USA TODAY Sports reported. "But we obviously had many conversations with teams and agents. We will continue to focus on continuing to improve our roster.''
He added, reported in the Bleacher Report, "Obviously, we started this offseason with a really good base of talent in place, coming off of an extremely successful NL West division championship. As we looked at different ways to improve the roster, we felt there were certain things we could target and certain guys who could fit within the scope of what we were trying to do."
Friedman has made 10 trades in 26 days since being hired and he is far from finished. The Dodgers have already acquired a new shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, a new second baseman, Howie Kendrick and three young prospects. They are reportedly looking to add two starting pitchers.
