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Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Had ‘Very Honest’ Conversation With Matt Kemp

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

While the Los Angeles Dodgers were quiet throughout the Winter Meetings, they made quite the splash on Saturday by acquiring Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in a five-player trade. The Braves received Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and cash considerations.

The deal, a stunner on the surface, meets goals for both teams. By unloading Gonzalez, Kazmir and McCarthy, all of whom are on expiring contracts, the Dodgers project to get under the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season.

Meanwhile, the Braves added a versatile infielder in Culberson, potential options to fill out their starting rotation, and cleared room in the outfield for their young players while simultaneously ridding themselves of $40 million in salary owed to Kemp.

Gonzalez was designated for assignment and thrust into free agency. Kemp might face a similar fate, as the Dodgers reportedly are considering trading or releasing the 33-year-old.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he was open with Kemp about the lack of clarity and his potential standing with the organization, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:

Trading Kemp was one of Friedman’s first moves after being hired as president of baseball operations. The 2014 deal with the San Diego Padres grew complicated and risked coming undone because of Kemp’s leaked medical records, but ultimately was pushed through.

A Dodgers’ 2003 draft pick, Kemp has struggled in recent years. He bounced back from a down 2016 season to hit .276/.318/.463 with 23 home runs, 19 doubles, 64 RBI and a 103 OPS+ in 115 games for the Braves.

Considering injuries have robbed him of the explosiveness and athleticism seen in his early years, plus the Dodgers’ outfield depth, Kemp best profiles to be traded to an American League team.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com