The Padres finally got the middle of the order bat that they’ve been looking for, trading for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp. The Dodgers will receive catcher Yasmani Grandal, right hander Joe Wieland, and right handed pitching prospect Zach Eflin. Los Angeles will also pay $30 million of the $107 million remaining on Kemp’s contract, which doesn’t end until 2019. The Padres will also get catcher Tim Federowicz to go with Kemp from the Dodgers. The deal is still awaiting approval form the Commissioner’s office.
The Dodgers have been busy in the last 24 hours, trading for Jimmy Rollins and trading away second baseman Dee Gordon.
Matt Kemp was the odd man out in the loaded Dodgers outfield that included Yasiel Puig, Andre Either, and Carl Crawford. Los Angeles also added one of their top prospects Joc Pederson to the 40-man roster, which makes the outfield even more crowded.
Kemp has struggled to a degree the past two seasons, after making the All-Star game in 2011 and 2012, and finishing second in the MVP race in 2011. Kemp main struggled were in 2013 when hit .270 with six homers, and struggled with injuries. He finished the 2014 season strong and looked like his old self in the second half of 2014. Kemp finished with a .287 batting averaged to go with 25 home runs and 89 RBIs. The Padres are hoping they can get the 2011 Kemp and are taking a gamble on him. San Diego already has a great pitching staff, and are just another bat away from being a contender in the NL West.
Grandal is a good pickup for the Dodgers he’s an excellent defensive catcher, but offensively he will struggle. I don’t think Los Angeles should have traded Kemp to a division foe, and I think it could come back to haunt them.
Overall I think the Padres got the better deal, and they positioned themselves to contend this season.
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