What s Next For the Dodgers and Matt Kemp?
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of Matt Kemp, it is interesting to see the progression or degradation of his game as his body increased in size, his production decreased in direct proportion. 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yXQekcdhxU 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF2LFHJkgYQ I can t get link to work Most Dodger fans have strong opinions about Kemp and many are not good. I have witnessed
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of Matt Kemp, it is interesting to see the progression or degradation of his game – as his body increased in size, his production decreased in direct proportion.
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2016
2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF2LFHJkgYQ – I can’t get link to work
Most Dodger fans have strong opinions about Kemp… and many are not good. I have witnessed the surly side of Matt Kemp, but I have also witnessed how gracious he can be. At one time, Matt and Andre Ethier were both prima donnas and difficult in the lockerroom… not all the time, but at times. You had to be careful around them because seemingly anything could set this off. Andre got married and had a family and that tends to mellow a guy out. Matt is a single, free spirit still lamenting that he should have won the 2011 MVP over that Cheating Ryan Braun.
As a human being, Matt may not have been as good as some thought, and conversely, he may not be as bad as some think. Like lots of things in life, the truth lies somewhere in-between. Matt Kemp has summarily been dismissed by three different teams. His defensive metrics are atrocious and his batting style is simply “all-or-nothing.”
Matt Kemp is an enigma. Part charm, part venom, part talent, part sulk. I can give you about $43 million reason why Andrew Friedman hopes that Matt Kemp has something left to prove. There are $43 million reasons why the Dodgers hope Matt Kemp has a huge chip on his shoulder. At one time, the Dodgers were almost Matt Kemp’s team. In fact, they could have been, had he acted with more maturity. You know, the kind of maturity exhibited by Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor. But, that’s all water under the dam now. Matt Kemp is here and so are the Dodgers.
Can they both make it work? It’s going to be as difficult as herding cats. Risk verses reward. The risk is great, but the reward could also be. Matt Kemp is fat and out of shape and very likely has some physical issues with his hips. This all could be for naught. Or, it could be for something. Andrew Friedman said he was very honest and direct with Matt Kemp. While I do not know what was said, I do think it went something like this:
“Matt, we traded for you because we needed to dump salary and we were able to do that when we acquired you. Now, this can go down in history as a salary dump and at some point we may trade or release you… or it could be so much more than that. Matt, this is your opportunity at redemption. It’s your chance to show Los Angeles and the World that Matt Kemp really is something. This is your chance to cement your legacy. It’s all up to you, not me.
It all starts with your diet, health and intensity of training. You weigh,like 245 right now, but back in the day, you were a lean, gazelle-like machine. Can you dump the weight, increase the conditioning and train like you never have for years… if ever? Can you agree to play LF, hit #6 and just give it your all no matter what?… because if you do, not only can you do well, but you might approach your MVP level of a few years ago.
Check your ego at the door and leave it all on the field. You are only 33 and have a couple more good years in your body… maybe you can retire as a Dodger and with a couple of World Championships. Do you have the drive, desire and determination to reach out to be what your talent dictates? I’d like you to be part of our Championship team, but it’s up to you. Can you get on board and behind this? Can you be a part of this? It’s your decision…”
Matt Kemp could screw this whole thing up. That I readily admit. Right about now, no one else wants him. NO ONE! But, when you get lemons, maybe it’s best to make lemonade. I doubt there will be any middle ground. With Matt Kemp, it will be boon or bust! I’m hoping for the boon, but am prepared for the bust! He could be released during Spring Training or be an amazing comeback candidate. I don’t have an opinion as to what will play out, but I am hopeful.
Barring a miracle, Matt Kemp will be on the Dodgers roster until late March. The Dodger have other business at hand, namely… maybe trading for Gerrit Cole. I think Yu Darvish will cost too much. Grandal and Pederson will have to be moved to make that happen (that will save about $10 million). Would the Pirates trade Cole for Grandal, Pederson and Alvarez? Do they have to include Verdugo?
What if Matt Kemp showed up in Spring Training at 205 with a new attitude and desire? What if he hit #6 and Toles or Kike served as his backup? What if he hit .270 with 35 HR? What if?
I don’t think Kemp can wreck this team. I don’t think Doc, Clayton, Cody, Corey, JT, Kenley or Rich Hill will tolerate a bad actor.
Matt Kemp: THIS IS YOUR LAST BEST CHANCE!
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Discussion (65)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I think you’re right bobo. Kemp is already a win no matter what happens with him. It’s all good. Release him or see if there is anything left in the tank. FAZ can’t lose on this one.
This trade was good for both teams. We can say that regardless what the players involved do next year. If any of the players do anything, the trade will only get better. Two GM’s who knew what they are doing.
Now that the Mariners traded for Span, a center fielder, they clearly do not have any need for Kiermaier 😉
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Puig and Verdugo and Forsythe for Kiermaier.
or
Toles and Verdugo and Forsythe for Kiermaier.
or
Oaks and Forsythe and Verdugo for Kiermaier.
I listened to the interview Friedman just did and he has no expectations for Matt Kemp. If someone steps up and offers him “something” for Kemp, he would take it (but that won’t happen). The Rule 5 draft is over, so roster spots are not currently a big deal. Kemp will likely be at Spring Training and there will be no expectations. I think the plan has to be “Find out if he can play or not.”
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That’s all there is to it. I have no expectations either.
One thing I’ve noticed this last year. Roberts et al will play someone until it is crystal clear they can’t do it anymore. When the dodgers cut a player very few can say they weren’t given a chance.
After the deal FAZ was just able to pull off, they must read all of our trade suggestions and simply laugh, calling us amateurs.
1 – I tend to think that Kemp doesn’t start the season on the roster but I could be wrong. Between his bad hips, bad attitude and bad defense, I could see the Dodgers standing pat with a LF platoon of Hernandez, Pederson/Toles. Bluto mentioned the value of a 40 man roster spot but I’m more concerned about the 25 man roster. If the Dodgers keep an 8 man bullpen that means a 4 man bench and they can’t all be OF.
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2 – Kevin Kiermaier is not a good offensive player. Yeah, he can field. Career split is .262/.319./.431 with 47 HR in 4 seasons.
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3 – The Dodgers do need to rebuild the ‘pen. Tom (the faucet) Koehler doesn’t fix the problem – getting the ball to Jansen. As of right now, the heir apparent to the 8th inning is El Gasolino himself. Cingrani looked good at times last year; Watson is gone. So are Dayton and Ravin. Can Avilan, Liberatore and Yimi Garcia stay healthy next year? Do the Dodgers have other pieces in the minors to send to the ‘pen? As of right now the 8 look to be: Jansen, Cingrani, Stewart, Stripling, Baez, Fields, Koehler, and either Liberatore, Garcia or Avilan. Not awe inspiring.
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4 – No way the Dodgers trade for Hanley Ramirez. Walk slowly away from the window and sit down carefully.
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5 – The Giants need to tear down to the studs like the Cubs and Astros did, but they won’t. Sure, Longoria will help and be a huge improvement, but he doesn’t solve their problems. Look at their payroll this year – Cueto – $21.8 MM (through 2021), Posey $21.4 MM (through 2021), Samardjzia $19.8 MM (2020), Melancon $19 MM (2020), Hunter Pence $18.5 MM (2018), Belt $17.2 MM (2021), Crawford $15 MM (2021), Longoria $13.5 MM (and escalating) (2022) and Bumgarner $12 MM (and a free agent after this year). It’s a mess, and they don’t have a good 5th starter, decent middle relief or a single outfielder – and their farm system is bare. THE GIANTS ARE A MESS AND SHOULD BE FOR SEVERAL YEARS!
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6 . – No matter what the Dodgers do with Kemp, they have won the offseason with their trade. It was a stroke of genius!
Yu signs with the Cubs
I believe the dodgers could have a match with the White Sox. They could absorb Kemp’s salary with a could of bad contracts of their own. They have Shields which Friedman is very familiar with, Jones a reliever they don’t need, Garcia who the dodgers could flip. Friedman may know shields enough to know he don’t want him but who knows. To get rid of salary it might work. The Sox definitely could take on the salary if they want a power bat. As far as our bullpen I believe we are ok with what we have at this point. If Garcia, Cingrani, Baez etc. blow up we can look at the trade deadline. Stewart, Urias, and Buehler if not starting or if conserving their innings could be valuable bullpen pieces at some point.
Quite frankly, I’m amazed at how often I see Puig’s name mentioned in proposed deals. Actually, I consider Puig to be one the Dodgers most valuable players. His defense in RF is stellar, and I consider his 28 HRs just a harbinger if things to come over the next several seasons. I even expect his average to improve signicantly. Not a player I would consider moving unless the return more than matched up to my expectations for Puig.