Matt Kemp has not been happy with the Los Dodgers for some time now. A career center fielder, Kemp has seen his playing time diminish and when he is on the field, the team continues to switch him around in the outfield. Kemp is not interested in shifting positions and he is not interested in sitting out more games than not. As the Dodgers continue to target strong pitchers during the trading period, Kemp is making himself available for dealing.
Kemp's agent Dave Stewart told FoxSports.com, Kemp is seeking a trade from the Dodgers if it means that he can play centerfield every day. For defensive purposes, Kemp has been playing left field while Carl Crawford sat injured since May 28. Kemp consistency has struggled as a result. He is batting .269 with eight home runs on the season, but the star is more concerned about his lack of playing time at the position that he favors.
"Whatever they want to do we're favorable to, as long as it gives him an opportunity to play every day," Stewart said, via FoxSports.com. "He'd like to eventually go back to center field. He's not opposed to right or left. But his hope at some point is to get back to center."
Kemp has been very vocal about his displeasure regarding the current outfield roster for the Dodgers. Things are crowded as Crawford and Kemp join Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Scott Van Slyke. During spring training, Kemp told media that he is not the fourth outfielder and deserves to be a starter. That likely will only come with a trade.
The Dodgers are eyeing several pitchers on the market, both starting and bullpen. ESPNLosAngeles.com has linked the Dodgers to everyone from Jonathan Papelbon to starters like Jon Lester and Max Scherzer. Right now, the Dodgers are at risk of seeing Zack Greinke walk away when his contract is up in 2015 which means the Dodgers would be wide to consider making a move now. The starter has an opt-out in his deal in 2015 and he is looking to get paid. He told the media that he will be looking at the deals free agents get this trading period and offseason.
"What happens with (Jon) Lester and (Max) Scherzer will say a lot," Greinke said, via Los Angeles Times. "They're paying more for future performance."