Trade talks are heating up around Matt Kemp. The Los Angeles Dodgers appear content trading away the outfielder and dumping off his large contract. The only issue is figuring out who are serious contenders and who are just trying to raise the market. As winter meetings continue with baseball officials, the Boston Red Sox do not appear to be serious contenders for the All-Star.
Over the weekend, ESPN sources reported the Boston Red Sox had begun exploratory talks with the Dodgers regarding what they would be searching for in return for the Kemp. The two sides pulled off a deal in August of 2012 involving Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett. However, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com is reporting there is nothing more following that talk and the Red Sox appear to no longer be interested in deal having "barely touched base" with the Dodgers since.
Kemp will be traded, it is just a matter of when. He still has six years and $128 million remaining on contract with a team filled with cheaper talent in the outfield. Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Crawford are all quality options to take over for Kemp. Pair the stacked roster along with Kemp's recent health issues and he is expendable. Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington noted the team feels very comfortable with their options and have no desire to add a big name to the mix.
"We're very comfortable with Victorino as the other option in center," Cherington said, via ESPN.com. "The way our roster is constructed right now, unless it changed, I'm not sure we're really set up to have another platoon at a position. If we had two center fielders on the team, for example, we'd have to take a player from somewhere else. Unless the shape of the roster changed, I think there will be an everyday center fielder."
Currently, Jackie Bradley Jr. will be the Opening Day center fielder after Jacoby Ellsbury left for a megadeal with the New York Yankees. Shane Victorino has experience in the position and can switch from right field to center if the need is there. Daniel Nava takes over left and Jonny Gomes can handle right if needed.
If Boston is out, the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners could still be in the mix for Kemp. Both teams have strong farm systems and space on the payroll to give the Dodgers quality in return while taking on the contract.
