Report: Padres ‘Looming’ As Destination For Matt Kemp

According to a recent tweet by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the San Diego Padres are quickly emerging as the favorites to land Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Matt Kemp. Per the tweet, Nightengale says the Padres are “looming as the most likely destination…”. In return, the Padres would send power-hitting catcher Yasmani Grandal and a yet-to-be-determined player, most likely a starting pitcher, to the Dodgers for Kemp.

According to multiple reports over the past few days, the Dodgers are eyeing one of the Padres big three starting pitchers, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross, or Ian Kennedy as the final piece of the deal. While money hasn’t been discussed, Kemp, who has battled injuries since signing his megadeal, is still owned $105 million dollars. It was originally rumored the Dodgers has interest in Austin Hedges, but that was quickly updated with Grandal and a starting pitcher.

Spin: I can’t see the Padres giving up Cashner or Ross AND Grandal AND taking on the remaining $103 million. If this deal is going to go down, the Dodgers are going to have to eat some money, acquire Grandal, and most likely Ian Kennedy. To send an ace-type arm within the division, even for an impact power bat, doesn’t make much sense. A Kennedy to Boston deal for Yoenis Cespedes would make more sense for the Padres at this point.