The Los Angeles Dodgers may look for a Matt Kemp trade at the winter meetings this week and teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners could be interested in a deal, as LA has Kemp, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier taking up space in the outfield and the team needs more room with Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson expected to get major playing time next year.
According to Hardball Talk, the Padres and Orioles are interested in Kemp, while the Seattle Mariners also could look at a deal for Kemp if they don't sign Melky Cabrera. The Mariners would like to add an outfield bat without giving up a top pitcher and the Dodgers so far have asked for either James Paxton or Taijuan Walker in any deal. The Orioles need to replace some home runs in the lineup after losing Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis and they could look at adding Kemp.
Last season Kemp had a bounce back season, especially in the second half and he ended up with 25 home runs and hit .287 while putting up a .852 OPS. Kemp is signed for five more years and over $100 million, but he is 30 years old and still is in prime years and could be a strong addition for teams. The Dodgers want to move at least one outfielder between Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford and it looks like Kemp is getting the most attention.
Kemp had a near MVP season a few years ago and while he is just 30, the Dodgers wouldn't mind moving him and getting some prospects in return. the Dodgers likely will have to pick up some of the contract depending on the deal they look for and the Padres could be an interesting option with the players they can trade. The Mariners are motivated to add a bat, but they would rather sign a player than give up their young pitching.
The Dodgers are considered an option for Jon Lester late in the game as he decides and they could be sleeper options for Max Scherzer or James Shields. The Dodgers want to add another pitcher and they feel like they have a strong team coming back after making the playoffs last season.
