What Deals Could Get Matt Kemp?

Not only are the Padres in on Matt Kemp but there is already a Padre linked in a possible deal. It won’t be easy to get him, not only because of his production but, as Ken Rosenthal reported, the Padres would receive money along with Kemp.  The Padres need a bat, let’s explore some possible trade options.

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Dodgers looking for: C, SP, SS/2B, RP

Padres’ surpluses: SP, RP, (C?)

I’m not so sure Justin Turner is the answer at SS for LA considering his limited playing time there both in the majors and minors.  Is Erisbel Arruebarrena ready for the majors?  Is Corey Seager?  If necessary, Dee Gordon might move back over to SS if the Dodgers trade for a 2B.  But with how well he’s played over at 2B and how comfortable he’s been at the plate since making the change, I’m sure the Dodgers would prefer to keep him where he is.

Let us act under the assumption that, as reported, Grandal would be in the deal to bring Kemp down south.

Deals Better for the Padres

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, Joaquin Benoit

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, Alexi Amarista, Burch Smith, (Nick Vincent or Dale Thayer)

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, decent pitching prospect (like Joe Ross)

Deals Better for LA

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, Ian Kennedy, Joaquin Benoit

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, (Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner)

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, high-end pitching prospect (like Matt Wisler)

Even Deals

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, Ian Kennedy, (Nick Vincent or Dale Thayer)

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, Cory Spangenberg

Matt Kemp, $ <=> Yasmani Grandal, Joaquin Benoit, (Nick Vincent or Dale Thayer)

Matt Kemp, $, pitching prospect <=> Yasmani Grandal, Ian Kennedy, Cory Spangenberg

Three-Team Trade

SD gets: Matt Kemp, $

LA gets: Alexei Ramirez, Yasmani Grandal

Chicago White Sox get: Ian Kennedy

Ramirez has only one year left on his contract.  With prospects due for the Dodgers either towards the end of this year or for 2016, Ramirez is a perfect fit.

The most likely deals I see are ones in which the Padres are giving up Yasmani Grandal and Ian Kennedy.  Kennedy is an above average pitcher and I’ve already made my case for trading Grandal.  The Padres are unlikely to trade either Ross or Cashner within the division.  To get a star like Kemp is going to cost a lot, especially because the two teams both occupy the NL West. But the questions that bring down Kemp’s value (like defense and hitting mechanics) make him a reasonable option.