MLB Trade Rumors: Matt Kemp “In Play” For Boston Red Sox; Los Angeles Dodgers Willing To Eat Salary
By Josh Hill
Right now, the Boston Red Sox look like they need to make a move, at least this is the way their fan base is looking at things. After losing Jacoby Ellbury to a terrible free agent deal to the New York Yankees, the Red Sox may be feeling the heat to pull the trigger on a trade they’ve been talking about for a few weeks now.
Back in late November, the Red Sox inquired about Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and today comes a report from Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo who says the execution of any trade is essentially in Boston’s court.
Matt Kemp is in play for the Red Sox and the Dodgers would eat some money in the right deal. Just a question of whether the Red Sox want to
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) December 5, 2013
Now, while it seems like the Red Sox would be rushing to make a deal to offset the loss of Ellsbury to the Yankees, this is something they’ve been looking at for a while. That still doesn’t make it that great of a deal as the Red Sox don’t have a great track history when it comes to taking on ballplayers with massive contracts.
In fact, it was just a few years ago that the Red Sox dumped their three biggest contracts on the Los Angeles Dodgers and it now appears the favor is going to be returned. But as Cafardo points out, the Dodgers are so desperate to get rid of Kemp that they’re willing to eat some of his salary to do so.
With the winter meetings coming up next week, we could see some movement on this trade but it’s looking like it’s the Red Sox call.