Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Yes, Matt Kemp is still a member of the Dodgers, but signs seem increasingly clear that we’re edging towards a Kemp-less era for the franchise.
The specific rumor of Kemp and the Padres came from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who speculated that the return could be Yasmani Grandal and Matt Wisler, but then later that return changed to Joe Ross.
Sources: #Padres, #Dodgers working hard on Kemp deal, getting closer. LAD wants strong piece besides Grandal. SD’s Wisler one possibility.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2014
Source: Wisler “not in mix” in #Padres’ discussions for #Dodgers’ Kemp. RHP Joe Ross could be involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2014
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com confirmed that names were exchanged and mentioned Zach Eflin as well.
One deal being discussed would send veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal and young pitcher Zach Eflin to Los Angeles for Kemp, sources said.
Both packages revolve around Grandal and prospects, with Grandal being the main piece. Grandal has been looked at here before, and has been pegged by Mike as a potential breakout candidate.
In terms of the prospects, Wisler was the #2 prospect by Baseball America and #2 by Baseball Prospectus, both of whom think he has mid-rotation potential. Wisler made it to AAA in his age-21 season before getting a late call to the majors, making him a safer bet to impact the big-league club, but he did struggle once there and he’ll likely repeat the level in 2015. Ross came in at #10 for BA and #10 for BP, both of whom also think mid-rotation potential is there, though there’s some belief that he could end up at the back of a pen as well. Ross made it to AA in his age-21 season and has more risk than Wisler, but has the better arm. Eflin isn’t ranked, but he’s a pitcher that’s entering his age-21 season (A+ or AA) and relies more on pitchability than raw stuff. Eflin is fastball/changeup starter that needs a better breaking ball to remain a back-end rotation option.
I’d still prefer to hang on to Kemp, but if the Dodgers could extract Grandal and Wisler without paying much of the contract, I think it would be awful hard to complain.
As far as the other Kemp rumors, the Orioles, Rangers, and Mariners are out, according to Heyman, so it would appear to be Padres or bust at the moment.
hear orioles, rangers and mariners, 3 early kemp players, are all out on him. seems like might be padres or bust.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2014
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On the Jon Lester front, the Dodgers are apparently in with three other teams, and Lester is probably going to get $150MM+ from somebody, according to Heyman.
lester said to have 6- and 7-year offers. most expect deal to wind up in $150-175M range. #giants #cubs #redsox #dodgers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2014
There were rumors later in the day that the Dodgers and Giants were both out on Lester, but Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com shot that down.
Source: Dodgers, Giants remain in play for Lester, along with Cubs and Sox. Cali teams have tax ramifications to overcome. LAD to talk again
— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) December 9, 2014
I can’t say I would necessarily mind losing this particular race if the rumored numbers are correct.
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For the not-so-shocking-but-still-sorta-shocking rumor of the day, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Dodgers are shopping Dee Gordon.
#Dodgers have let teams know open to moving Dee Gordon. New front office likes OBP, not Gordon’s forte
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2014
Joe Frisaro, the Marlins beat reporter for MLB.com, is hearing that he Marlins are interested.
Hearing the #Marlins have interest in Dee Gordon #Dodgers
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) December 9, 2014
Mike looked at the idea of selling high on Dee, and I have to agree that the concept makes sense. But I doubt they’re selling high on Dee if everybody knows they’re “selling high”, and lots of things make sense until you wonder who the hell would play second base next year.
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Now go speculate away and submit trade proposals to the mailbag.
WHY NOT JOSE FERNANDEZ FOR MIGUEL ROJAS? WHO REALLY KNOWS?!
