Red Sox Ask For Matt Kemp In David Wells Deal

According to both the Boston Herald and the Los Angeles Daily News, the Red Sox have asked for 21 year-old outfielder Matt Kemp in exchange for David Wells.

Tony Jackson of the L.A. paper actually suggests that the Red Sox requested a package of prospects including Kemp.  As in, more than just Kemp.  Jackson states that the request "probably makes the deal impossible unless Boston general manager Theo Epstein reduces his asking price."

That's an understatement.  Six years of Matt Kemp for a month or two of David Wells?  That'd be even worse than two or three months of an infielder you don't really need in exchange for Joel Guzman.  The Dodgers are also talking about adding John Mabry, for some reason.

Kemp turns 22 in September.  Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein named him as the fourth-best center field prospect in the game, behind Cameron Maybin, Chris Young, and Justin Upton.  Most of those will be household names in two or three years.  Goldstein mentions that Kemp's size could force a move to a corner outfield position eventually.  Much has been made of Kemp's power outage at Triple A, where he has three home runs in 43 games.  However, he's still slugging .554 due to 14 doubles and six triples.  The power is fine. His plate discipline may need a little fine-tuning though.

Another reason Kemp and other top-flight prospects are probably staying put: anyone on the 40-man roster has to pass through waivers.  Why would the 29 other teams allow a stud outfield prospect to pass by unclaimed?  That would be one hell of a gentleman's agreement. 

 

Comments

[bobo]

Yep, I was just going to say no way the Dodgers would trade Kemp, but then again they did trade Joel Guzman for 2 months of Julio Lugo, so you never know...

If Theo really asked for Kemp + other players, I'd have to think he'd lose some credibility around the league. That's Bowden-esque.

[start_wearing_purple]

I think its more market strategy. Basically driving up the price and hoping the dodgers break

[Kyle]

I laughed when I first heard this. Theo has to be smarter than that. Wells has said he wants to retire after this year so what makes him think the Dodgers are going to give away a 22 year old who could start right now for the Sox. This is baffling, I was expecting for Wells to go for a b- or a c prospect

[TNS]

Did anyone stop to think that when a package deal was mentioned that players other than Wells would be involved in the move as well?

[desturbd1]

Exactly what I was about to say, TNS.

[EM3]

The problem with that is that the other players would have to pass through waivers.
A Crisp/Wells for Kemp may make sense, but Coco would never pass through waivers.
If Boston could get anything for Wells, Theo has to do it. And I can't believe the Mets aren't in on this. Their rotation is so shaky!

[bobo]

I'm surprised a number of teams aren't more into it - the Reds, Cardinals, DBacks, and Mets should all be more interested than the Dodgers.

EM3 - agree completely on the Mets. There's just no way they make it through a short series with their rotation. They'll be the disappointment of the postseason.

I'll go as far as saying that if an NL team gets Wells, they become the favorite to represent the NL in the World Series.

[Kramerica Industries]

Mark Loretta and Mike Lowell have also gone through waivers. Lets not forget that there are six teams (reportedly) with interest and that he is the best pitcher available right now so the price might have to be Kemp for the Dodgers so he doesnt go to Cin or SD

[bobo]

I could see Wells and Lowell to SD for a decent prospect if the Sox included a bunch of cash...

I guess I take it back about Theo - he probably said "hey, everybody wants him - but give me Kemp and he's yours now, and you won't have to worry about anyone else".

[dmb60614]

boston asked stl for one of wainwright, rasmus, or duncan. they were shot down. i cant see wells getting moved if thats the asking price. maybe boston will reconsider as the deadline approaches.

[Kyle]

Unless Boston is willing to include one of there top prospects in the deal too they are asking for way too much. Like I could see Hansen, Wells and a prospect for Kemp.

[Kramerica Industries]

Kyle and that would make sense for the red sox how?

[start_wearing_purple]

I agree Kramerica, just because theo is waving a white flag and setting up shop doesn't mean he's gonna sell the farm. Hansen, Wells, AND a prospect??? Just because Hansen had a rough year doesn't mean his value has sunk THAT low.

[desturbd1]

Agreed, purple. Unless he's a headcase and his confidence is shot, and I'm pretty sure that won't be the case, I expect good things from Hansen next season. He dominated AA and pitched fairly well in AAA, and that was while trying to learn a changeup. He also seemed to lose his nasty slider somewhere along the way, and said as much in an interview...if he gets that pitch back he'll be in good shape. I could see one of Boston's outfield prospects going over to sweeten the deal a bit...probably not Ellsbury, but maybe Murphy or Moss, or possibly Soto.

[bdid]

Why such hatred toward Mets starters? Look around the NL, which team has better? This year Pedro has been much better than Peavy, the Cards are terrible after Carpenter...I'd Take Glavine, Orlando, and Maine over Cards 2-4 any day. Phillies??? Please. Dodgers? Other than Penny, the rest of the staff is average...just because Maddux had a quick resurgence, doesn't mean he's good.

By the Way...Wells is not good anymore. He'll get rocked in the Playoffs.

[desturbd1]

Uhh...Wells has a 2.65 ERA in 5 starts since he came off the DL, in a much, much, MUCH better league. They came against TB, NYY, Sea, Det, and Bal.

But anyway, espn.com is reporting that a deal sending Wells to San Diego for AAA catcher George Kotteras is pretty close to getting done. Oh, and the Boston Herald is reporting that Jon Lester may have cancer.

[start_wearing_purple]

No, it's reporting he's being tested for cancer. There's a difference.

As for the Mets, bdid. They suprised me this year. I figured Glavine would go down hill but he's been the finese man they needed though I'd say he's just as good as Maddux. As for Maine, I knew it was an idiotic move by the Os to get rid of him.

[underdog8]

bdid, the Dodgers rotation of Penny plus Lowe, Maddux and Chad Billingsley is "average"? (Sele, Hendrickson and Kuo together form a decent if erratic 5th starter). I agree they're not the best, and when healthy that'd probably be the Mets, but you don't seem to follow the Dodgers. Certainly haven't watched Maddux pitch since he's come there, obviously missed the game the other night. Other than that, you're right!

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Hansen isn't going anywhere and to suggest otherwise is retarded. He's next years closer, or at least Timlin's replacement. Coco isn't getting shipped out unless its to FL in some package, probably with Kotteras, for Mig. Cabrera after he pulls the biggest arbitration raise ever. Requesting Kemp from the Dodgers isn't a stupid move, they feel they are making the playoffs and have a chance to do some damage. I'd take LA over the Mets in the NL if they had Wells to add to the rotation. So it was Kemp or we send Wells to the pads who now have a better chance of taking some games from you making the playoffs and with Peavy, and Young have a better rotation for a short series.