The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired OF Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for LHP Scott Kazmir, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Brandon McCarthy and INF Charlie Culberson. $4.5 million is going Atlanta\’s way, and Gonzalez was immediately DFA\’d.
Kemp, an old friend, is owed $21.5 this year, but the Dodgers still unloaded Kazmir and Gonzalez. But, according to Dodgers writer Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers are just as likely to flip Kemp as they are to have him play in 2018. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said Kemp could be released or DFA\’d, like Gonzalez.
Kemp, 33, hit .276, with 19 homers and 64 RBIs in 467 Plate Appearances for the Braves in 2017. In his MLB career for the Braves, Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Kemp has a batting average of .285, with 259 homers, 920 RBIs and 163 stolen bases in 6283 Plate Appearances.
The traded Kemp so they could get him off the books a year early, and clear up a spot in LF for super prospect Ronald Acuna. Gonzalez, Kazmir and McCarthy all have one year left. Kazmir could also be flipped. Gonzalez would of been a backup in L.A., and the same in Atlanta. He\’ll probably elect free agency and sign a minor league deal, or sign a cheap major league deal.
Gonzalez, 35, had a .242 batting average, with three homers and 30 RBIs in 253 Plate Appearances for the Dodgers in 2017. In hi MLB career for the Dodgers, Padres, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, \”A-Gon\” has a batting average of .288, with 311 home runs and 1176 RBIs in 7859 Plate Appearances.
Kazmir, 33, had an ERA of 4.56, a 1.36 WHIP and 134 strikeouts in 136.1 innings for the Dodgers in 2017. In his MLB career for the Dodgers, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians, Kazmir has a 4.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP 1608 strikeouts in 1689.2 innings.
McCarthy, 34, had a 3.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 92.2 innings for the Dodgers in 2017. In his MLB career for the Dodgers, Athletics, Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, McCarthy has a 4.15 ERA, a WHIP of 1.29, and 843 strikeouts in 1145 innings.
Culberson, 28, had a .154 batting average with no homers and one RBI in 15 Plate Appearances for the Dodgers in 2017. In his MLB career for the Dodgers, Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants, Culberson has a batting average of .231, with six homers, 45 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 443 Plate Appearances.
I think this is an even trade. It\’s mainly just a cap dump for 2018, but gives both teams options for the crowded free agency of post-2018.
CarterHud 