The LA Dodgers are expected to make at least one more major move at the winter meetings, as Jimmy Rollins has now been (nearly) acquired and this comes as Los Angeles has a surplus of outfielders with Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, while Zack Greinke could be a potential option if the team decides to sign James Shields, as they were interested in Jon Lester before he signed with the Cubs.
--UPDATES: Kemp is on his way to the Padres, Howie Kendick is on his way to the Dodgers, Dee gordon has been traded to the Marlins along with Dan Haren.
The Dodgers are motivated to make moves this offseason and now that Jon Lester is signed, the team may turn its attention to James Shields or Max Scherzer. The team reportedly will consider trading Zack Greinke, as ESPN.com reports that the Dodgers are worried that Greinke may opt out after next season. Shields could be a target, while Hardball Talk reports that the Padres are looking at Matt Kemp as a trade option and there is chance Dee Gordon could get involved in that deal.
Ken Rosenthal wrote on Wednesday that the Dodgers and Padres aren't really a fit for this deal and that a third team could get involved. Rosenthal said if that happened, Gordon likely would become part of the deal and the Dodgers would probably look for his replacement on the free agent market or with the third team. Coming into the winter meetings the Dodgers were expected to explore trades, as they want to make room in the outfield for prospect Joc Pederson.
The team is already set with Yasiel Puig and they would like to move one of either Kemp, Carl Crawford or Andre Either to open up space in the lineup. The Dodgers feel that they are close to winning a championship and they have the chance to make a couple moves to strengthen the roster. Kemp had a strong second half and had over 20 home runs last season and while he is expensive, many teams could look at getting his bat in the lineup.
The Mariners have been connected to Kemp for some time and while that has cooled recently, the team is still an option for the deal. The M's need offense and they want and outfield bat, but they are not willing to give up a top prospect to do it. The team knows that the Dodgers want Taijuan Walker or James Paxton in the deal, but that is a line the team doesn't want to cross. The team would rather add someone like Melky Cabrera than give up a top arm and that will make it tough to get a deal done.
The Dodgers come in after being a top 10 ranked team in scoring and batting average last season along with on base percentage and they are looking to add even more. The team won 94 games last season and lost to the Cardinals in the playoffs and now they are looking to make another major move or two to get things set for next season. The Dodgers are still the favorites out West and they will be there with or without Kemp.