Matt Kemp will remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers whether he likes it or not. The outfielder has been vocal about his displeasure in Los Angeles thanks to his lack of playing time and being forced into a position he is not comfortable with. As the Dodgers pursue a starting pitcher, Kemp was hoping to be included in the deal so that he could go to a tea that would allow him to play every game. However, with the trade deadline here, Kemp is staying put.
Following the Dodgers win over the Atlanta Braves, team general manager Ned Colletti stated once and for all that Kemp was going nowhere and would remain with the team for the rest of the season.
"Nobody's heard me say we're trading Matt Kemp," Colletti said, via ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Nobody's heard me say we're shopping Matt Kemp. Nobody's heard me say that. That's all in another world. At this point in time, we're not in the market to trade any of the three, period. There's been no player that we've discussed that warrants two of the three, three of the three. Otherwise, we'd be having a different meeting right now."
Since the trade rumors, Kemp has been playing well, batting .397 in his last 18 games. He has looked good since his agent told the media that Kemp wanted a change of scenery and wanted a team that would allow him to play center field all of the time, a position the Dodgers had moved him from due to their abundance of outfielders. However, no matter what the Dodgers do in the remaining trading hours, Kemp will stay put.
Los Angeles has been focusing on acquiring another starting pitcher to add to their already impressive rotation. Most recently, the team has been linked to Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox after his contract negotiations with the team stalled out. However, the Red Sox are asking for two of the Dodgers top prospects, Joc Pederson and Corey Seager. That would clear out the Los Angeles minor league system and leave the Dodgers with nothing should the eventually get rid of Kemp in the offseason. That may force the Dodgers to hold off on all moves in general.
"It's not like our needs are excessive," Colletti said. "We're trying to take it from 'good' to 'great,' perhaps. It's not like we've got many holes to fill and an abundance of different options or matches."
The team could still try and chase a Philadelphia Phillies pitcher in Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee. They could also try for someone like Ian Kennedy. However, all signs point to the 25-man roster staying put if the Lester deal fails.
