WHAM! BANG! BLOCKBUSTER!

Interesting comment by Blake Coble on “Dodgers Nation”—

Certainly the biggest part of this entire trade is the money aspect. Ultimately the trade appears to be cash neutral overall. But for the 2018 season the Dodgers appear to be under the $197 million luxury tax threshold. If this indicates anything, it shows the front office knows how to get creative, and is ready to reset the luxury tax penalties this year. We could witness a full commitment to the youth on our roster this year.

We all saw this one coming. Amazing! Sorry to see Culberson going.

I am really impressed. The salaries even out between the 2 teams since Kemp is under contract for 2 years but the Dodgers dump more salary this year. Brilliant!

–

Do you think that Friedman’s previous relationship with Anthopolous might have helped the transaction along?

–

Most speculation is that Kemp doesn’t stay due to his bad defense. Maybe – but he is still a good RH power bat who can play LF well enough and can be replaced for defense when needed. Or he can be flipped to an AL team who needs a DH and can save a little more salary.

–

More transactions? Only if they don’t cause a luxury tax problem.

The trade free’s up space on the 40 man roster. Wonder if Yoshi Hirano is the next reliever they sign.

The mad scientists (FAZ) are working their magic. I suspect we will see a full commitment to the graduation and steady stream of minor leaguers to the big squad (Buehler, Oaks, Sierra, Smith, Ruiz, Santana and more) over the next several years with an occasional FA signing. The Dodgers will be a team made up mostly of organizationally drafted and developed players, along with an occasional acquired big leaguer in trade. and FA.

I absolutely love this trade and can’t wait to see what the rest of the off season will bring us.

Holy Shit! What a crazy deal. I don’t know why Atlanta would do it.

Funny, the Dodgers moved all the contracts they wanted but the return was Matt Kemp not Stanton.

I won’t even try to guess the next move, but if this has the Dodgers. under the the CBT, there is no way I see them doing anything to put them back over. As Mark would say, that would be felony stupid.

I still like Grandal as part of our catching corps, but I can still see him being moved to free up even more money to create even more flexibility for another deal. Maybe in a deal for Gerit Cole, or something else.

And yes, this deal is epic. Stay tuned, I’m sure there’s more to come, maybe soon, maybe later.

–

And one other thing. This is better than acquiring Stanton.

Yes I do believe that FAZ’s relationship with AA had a lot to do with this. This is a great trade for both teams. The Dodgers get out from luxury tax hell, and the Braves get a look at McCarthy and Kazmir, a utility infielder in Culberson, and most importantly Kemp is moved to open a spot for Acuna.

.

I wonder if the Dodgers can move Kemp to Boston who are looking for any power. Or Toronto? How about A-Gon to Boston? A-Gon to NYY?

.

Can the Dodgers move Ryu, a reliever, and prospects for Gerrit Cole? That would give the Dodgers a solid top of the rotation pitcher and no additional salary.

.

Trayce Thompson only got a reprieve. While the Dodgers opened some 40 man spots, they did not eliminate an OF. He is still #6 behind CT3, Puig, Kike’, Toles, and Joc.

.

The Dodgers are going to stay under the luxury tax threshold, so no Darvish. Any trade will need to be salary neutral, even if it means an extra prospect.

.

FAZ is not done. Never underestimate their ability to see the big picture and plan for it. This was brilliant

Faz pulled a rabbit out of their hat on this trade. It frees up salary, moves unwanted pieces out, gives three 40 man spots (one will be used on Koehler) and leaves multiple prospects for additional moves if desired. If Kemp is retained then LF is pretty crowded, have to see how that shakes out. I am all done making predictions until about mid spring training when it all becomes more clear but I like it a lot.

Kemp’s story is amazing. He has twice been traded for nothing. He has no value. The market has proven it.

`

Friedman spoke to media:

He called getting payroll flexibility “a focal point for us this winter.”

“Obviously one of the main considerations in this deal were economic. But they’re part of the bigger picture, the longer-term plan, and it’s a necessary strategic part of moves yet to come. Whether that’s this offseason, in July or next year, this move allows for increased flexibility going forward at a time when we have some depth.”

On the team’s “plans” for Kemp:

“That’s a good question. Obviously, there’s a lot of winter left.”

This was indeed a brilliant move. What’s next? I like AC’s suggestion of Ryu, etc to Pittsburgh for Cole. That makes a lot of sense for both teams.

.

Also, a team that could use a power hitting outfielder/DH would be the Orioles. Perhaps now we can swing a trade to get one of their relievers and Hunter Harvey.

.

It’s trades like this that make me glad that FAZ is leading this organization and that we no longer have Colletti in charge. It also makes me realize that its a lot easier to arm chair quarterback the decisions made by the front office than it is to run one on a day to day basis and make these type of decisions. Frankly, I would not have thought of this trade in a 100 years.

.

The off-season just got a whole lot more interesting.

AA had to get Kemp out of the locker room and the owner called him out for being fat.

from Andy McCullough:

Andrew Friedman: “I hadn’t noticed. Is there a big free-agent class next winter?”

:0)

Would this/Should this end all TRADE talk?

I hope Segedin gets a look see again ST.

OK time for my post op meds and a lil nirvana.

I’m sure Pittsburgh will ask for all it can get, since it doesn’t have to trade GC. But, as we know, asking for and receiving are two different things.

This article by Shaikin is a must read, in my opinion:

Shocked with this deal really. FAZ cut the Gordian knot of the immovable contracts.

Waiting for the next move – hopefully a SP

Sure they’ll flip Matt somewhere. Clearing the decks for the big free agent clearance of 2018. Future bright.

I didn’t think there was any way they could unload a couple of these guys. I stand corrected.

Oh. My. Word. FAZ moved three un-moveable contracts in one move. Brilliant!

–

Something odd is going on with Gonzo to approve this trade. I wonder if we’ll ever find out.

I’ll stand by what I said before. This is better than Stanton. I seriously doubt if the Dodgers had any serious interest in acquiring his 10 remaining years, especially since he’ll be in his hate thirties in the final year. That’s exactly what the Dodgers are trying to avoid.

–

Maybe after next season the Dodgers will consider Harper and/or Machado (both younger than Stanton, and who might still be producing after s decade). And maybe not. I think circumstances at that time will dictate what they might do, It’s very conceivable to me that they may well let Kershaw walk if he opts out.

–

For now I wouldn’t even try to guess what the future holds. Too many variables. But whatever happens, I’m confident that we have the right people making the decisions.

Again Freidman and Zaidi show me how fortunate we Dodger fans are to have these two men. This was indeed a brilliant move, but I’m hoping they have no thought in keeping Kemp.

The Dodgers may go after Cole, but Pittsburgh will want a few top prospects and I don’t see that happening.

If what Bluto says is true (that Kemp has no value), then Kemp will be a Dodger next year. .. at least for a while. The Dodgers would have $42 million reasons to see if he has anything left. Matt Kemp was a moody prima donna when he played for the Dodgers. Then he was traded to SD where he was subsequently run out of town for a bad attitude. He ended up in Atlanta, who was/is rebuilding and also had a bad attitude. Do you see a pattern here?

–

People can change. It doesn’t mean that Kemp will, but I have talked to him and found him to be gracious and kind at times while being dismissive and aloof at others. I’m not saying he can change, but if he has no value right now, I do not see FAZ releasing him when they have $42 million wrapped up in his contract.

–

I suspect he has SOME value, maybe it’s $5 million a year (that’s and arbitrary number). We do know that no one would pay him $21 million for one year, because if they would have Atlanta would have done that deal instead of the deal with the Dodgers. I suspect that if FAZ can get some team to take him and agree to pay $8 to $10 million, they would do it.

–

A-Gon had ZERO Value, which is why AJ released him immediately. Kemp has “some” value.” FAZ is trying to trade him, but WHAT IF he shows up to Spring Training in great shape with a new attitude and a short leash? What do they have to lose? Defense is a big part want to or desire. Being on two teams who were habitual losers probably sapped his want to.

–

What if he starts the season hot and a AL team needs a DH? His value could go up. What am saying is: I have no idea if he gets moved or plays for the Dodgers next year! No Idea! It doesn’t seem like a FAZonian move to allow him to stay … after all, you can never go home… can you?

In case you did not read it, here’s what A-Gon said:

–

–

Just as I thought: PURE CLASS! What a great man! Godspeed, Adrian Gonzalez! I didn’t like THE TRADE, but I loved you! I hope you retire a Dodger.

–

This closes the door on THE TRADE!