Report: Los Angeles Dodgers 'trying hard' to trade Matt Kemp
With a surplus of outfielders and Joc Pederson waiting in Triple-A, the Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to find a trading partner for Matt Kemp, reports Danny Knobler.
The $107 million remaining on Kemp's contract through 2019 will likely pose the biggest obstacle in the Dodgers' efforts.
The 29-year-old signed the eight-year, $160 million contract after the 2011 season, in which he finished second in the NL MVP voting, and posted a career-high .986 OPS. Since signing the deal, Kemp has battled injuries and hasn't come close to matching the numbers he produced in the 2011 campaign.
The past two seasons, Kemp has been relegated to part-time duties, sharing playing time with a crowded outfield of Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Scott Van Slyke. He played in 73 games last season, compiling 263 at-bats, and has 323 this season. Kemp has a .756 OPS on the season, including eight home runs.
Kemp has expressed interest in a trade if it means he gets to return to playing center field full-time.
More: Dodgers to reportedly pursue Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon
Knobler also reports another team is trying to unload an underproducing veteran: the Mets and Bartolo Colon. New York signed Colon to a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason, and he has posted a 4.12 ERA in 19 starts this season.
- Evan Webeck
