Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason and teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres have been mentioned as potential options in reports and things could pick up as the winter meetings get closer in December.
The Dodgers have been shopping Kemp since last year and they have been looking to break up their log jam in the outfield with Kemp, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier. According to Hardball Talk, the Baltimore Orioles and the Dodgers have discussed Kemp and this comes after reports have mentioned the Mariners and Padres looking into making a deal. The Mariners desperately need some offense and the Orioles have Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis as options to bring back.
The Mariners have been linked to Cruz already and the Padres have also been looking at power hitters on the market. Hardball Talk reports that the talk with Kemp and the Orioles could be about putting pressure on Cruz and Markakis to re-sign, but it also could be a backup plan in case they leave. The Dodgers may not be as willing to deal Kemp unless they get a decent return after losing Hanley Ramirez, but they likely will have to pick up some money on his deal to get it done.
Kemp is 30 years old and comes in after hitting over .300 down the stretch after the All-Star break and he is set to make over $20 million per season. Kemp had 25 home runs last year and 89 RBIs and while he is not at an MVP level anymore, he is still a strong hitter. The Dodgers are looking to make moves and the Mariners could be a match with how badly they want to make a run at the playoffs.
