The Los Angeles Dodgers made their first big move of the offseason over the weekend, acquiring a familiar face in Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir and Charlie Culberson.
The move allowed the Dodgers to get below the luxury tax threshold in 2018, something they have prioritized all offseason in pursuit of the loaded free agent class a year from now.
Kemp had many great years in Los Angeles after they drafted him in the sixth round in 2003, and while the trade looked to be a possible reunion, it doesn’t appear that will be the case.
Shortly after Kemp was acquired, news came out that the Dodgers would attempt to trade Kemp or release him in the near future. But with two years and around $40 million still remaining on his contract, the Dodgers are finding out that trading him won’t be easy as Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports is reporting that the market for Kemp is nonexistent:
trade market for matt kemp believed to be virtually nonexistent. if dodgers can find a taker via trade they are magicians.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 18, 2017
It makes sense that not many teams are interested in acquiring Kemp, as despite him still being a productive offensive player, he was the worst defensive left fielder in baseball in 2017.
Kemp’s -17 defensive runs saved ranked dead last among left fielders, and his defense has been an issue dating all the way back to his first tenure in Los Angeles when he was forced to move from center to the corner outfield positions.
In 115 games he hit .276/.318/.463 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs though, and in 2016 he slashed .268/.304/.499 with 35 home runs and 108 RBIs, so his bat is still a porductive one.
While trading him won’t be easy, if the Dodgers are willing to eat a large portion of his salary and perhaps attach some prospects to him, then they could draw some interest from an American League team who has use for Kemp as a designated hitter.
If they can’t find a trade partner though, Kemp will likely be designated for assignment so him being a Dodger on Opening Day is unlikely.
