The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently in the process of shopping all-star centerfielder Matt Kemp, one team that is high on the 30-year old is the San Diego Padres.
According to Fox Sports' reporter Jon Morosi , talks between the two organizations have been 'hot and cold' but the Padres are focused on acquiring Kemp from the Dodgers. The biggest gap between the two clubs appears to be the asking price for Kemp, who is coming off a .287/.346/.506 with 25 homeruns and 89 RBI.
The Padres are looking to keep away from letting go of their top tier prospects including their pair of top pitching prospects, Matthew Wisler and Max Fried. One player the Padres would seem certain to trade in exchange for Kemp is 26-year old catcher and first baseman Yasmani Grandal. Last season, Grandal played in 128 games splitting them 76 at catcher, 37 at first and one at DH. In those 128 games, Grandal hit .225/.327/.401 with 15 homeruns and 49 RBI.
Since his first season in the Majors (2012), when he played in 60 games hitting .297 with eight homeruns and 36 RBI over 192 at bats. Grandal has hit a mere .221 over 156 games with 16 homeruns and 58 RBI. According to Bob Nightengale, the Padres are also offering an additional player to Los Angeles.
Kemp's contract could be an issue for the small market Padres down the road as the 30-year old is signed through the 2019 season and is still owed $107 million after signing a an 8-year, $160 million deal following the 2011 season. By moving Kemp, the Dodgers would costless up a spot in their outfield for top centerfield prospect Joc Pederson as well as costlessing up cash to possibly sign top LHP Jon Lester.
While a possible deal hasn't been reported as close, this is one possible trade to keep your eyes on for the remainder of the Winter Meetings.