The Los Angeles Dodgers are always making moves and involved in deals. MLB Trade Rumors have them possibly dumping Matt Kemp's salary onto the Seattle Mariners. While the Dodgers are interested in softening their payroll, the Mariners are more interested in acquiring a superstar. Is this wise for both sides? Let's take a look.
The Dodgers and Mariners are in talks concerning Kemp's remaining six-year, $120 million deal left on the table. Following his monster 2011 campaign where he led the league with 115 runs, 39 home runs and 126 RBI, the Dodgers decided to reward their start outfielder with a fat paycheck. Whether the move was impulsive or not is still debatable, but Kemp has not been healthy enough to prove that he is worth the money.
In 2012, immediately after his amazing year, he played 106 games after playing an average of 159 games in the previous four seasons. Then in 2013, more issues surfaced as the centerfielder left the Dodgers in need, playing only 73 games.
So why do the Mariners want to take on such a large contract for an injury prone player? Well, they might get a good deal if the Dodgers eat up some of the money. Kemp did hit over 26 homer runs from 2009-2011, proving he has some pop. He stole 35 bases in 2008, 34 in 2009 and 40 in 2011, proving he is versatile and when healthy, he can do it all.
The Mariners also have a payroll that is relatively small. In fact, it is the second smallest payroll in the American League behind the Houston Astros, who could probably not afford Kemp for only one season. Overall, the Mariners $47.1 million estimated payroll in 2014 is the third least total in the Majors as the Miami Marlins are looking to spend $30.5 million in 2014. The Mariners need a star as Mike Morse, Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez are set to become free agents in 2013. That leaves 20-home run hitters Kyle Seagar and Justin Smoak to find protection in the lineup.
Planting Kemp in the middle of the lineup would provide guys like Smoak and Seagar with decent protection. Not that Kemp is going to turn them into sudden champions, but it will be a solid veteran in a clubhouse with young guys.
The trouble with acquiring Kemp is that the Mariners have Michael Saunders, who is still eligible for arbitration. He is not a Kemp, but Saunders has potential to be something special and he is soon to turn 27 years of age.
The deal would help the Dodgers greatly, though they will probably not chase after a guy like Robinson Cano, they can go out and seek a guy on the market. Maybe a Jacoby Ellsbury or Shin-Soo Choo can make their way to Los Angeles if the Dodgers make space in the payroll. L.A. has no fear of expanding on their already exaggerated payroll, but dumping Kemp, who has been injury prone and has not managed to stay on the field, could be a huge move for the Dodgers as they attempt to bring a championship to Los Angeles.
