Trade Rumors: Dodgers Make Matt Kemp Available

The trade market is heating up and the options at outfield are starting to grow for the Mariners as rumors have broke that the Dodgers have made OF Matt Kemp available.

CBS Sports’ John Heyman had this to say of Kemp status with the Dodgers:

"The Dodgers, after somehow fitting five players into three outfield spots for more than a year now, are trying to alleviate a numbers crunch that’s become a problem for Matt Kemp(and could become one for manager Don Mattingly and the team, too), by finally seeking a new team for Kemp. The Dodgers are making calls, and rival executives have the feeling the Dodgers are ready to move on, if possible. And Kemp, an LA guy as an Oklahoma product could ever hope to become, apparently is ready to go, too."

The 29 year old outfielder has been healthy for the most part this season. Something he has not been used to. Over the last 3 years, since his MVP caliber performance in 2011, Kemp has not been able to stay healthy through an entire season.

In 2013, Kemp played just 73 games due to a barrage of ankle and shoulder injuries that he has since had surgery on and he says that he is finally playing ‘pain free’.

This season Kemp has played in 92 games for the Dodgers posting a triple slash of .268/.333/.422. Not great but not bad when compared to Seattle’s current plug and play outfielders.

Kemp would bring experience and leadership. With the Dodgers being in a rush to get rid of him, he might come cheaper than expected in terms of what we would have to give up to acquire him.

The only tough part is eating up that heavy contract he brings with him.

Kemp is right in the middle of a 8 year, $160 million dollar contract which is set to pay him roughly $21 million per season through 2019. If the Dodgers really want to get rid of him, they will be eating a good chunk of that contract.

Kemp would be an upgrade for the Seattle Mariners outfield but the trade only makes sense if Kemp can stay healthy.

You can add him to the list of right handed bats the Mariners could be trading for prior to the deadline.