In a stunning swap of big contracts, the Dodgers have traded first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, left-hander Scott Kazmir, right-hander Brandon McCarthy and infielder Charlie Culberson to the Braves in exchange for outfielder Matt Kemp. The Braves will also receive $4.5MM in cash. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report news of the trade. Furthermore, Mark Bowman of MLB.com adds that the Braves have already designated Gonzalez for assignment. A source close to Rosenthal tells him that the Dodgers are likely to trade or release Kemp (Twitter link).
There’s a ton to unpack here, but the biggest motivator of the trade appears to be money, and more specifically luxury tax implications for the Dodgers. Rosenthal notes in another tweet that the trade is “effectively cash-neutral overall,” but adds that the swap will put the Dodgers below the $197MM luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season. That will allow the Dodgers to reset the escalating luxury tax penalties, which seems to have been a significant objective for the club this offseason. The money owed to Kemp is spread out across the 2018-2019 seasons, while Gonzalez, Kazmir and McCarthy all have just one year remaining on their contracts.
Rosenthal offers further clarification yet, as he points out that the Dodgers have paid the luxury tax for five consecutive seasons. Their penalty for 2017 was over $30MM, but if they keep their payroll below $197MM, their penalty will drop from 50% on the overage to 20% the next time they exceed the luxury tax threshold.
Joel Sherman reports in his own tweet that the Braves are planning to release Gonzalez, but can’t do so until Monday since MLB teams can’t release players on weekends during the offseason. Gonzalez actually had to waive his no-trade clause in order to make this trade possible, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports that he did so mainly because the Dodgers told him he’d be buried on the bench and receive limited at-bats.
[RELATED: Updated Dodgers Depth Chart; Updated Braves Depth Chart]
As for the Braves, the $4.5MM they’ll get in the deal will even out the overall dollars swapped in the trade (hat tip to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports). GM Alex Anthopoulos says that McCarthy satisfies the team’s “desire to add a veteran starter,” while Culberson fills their need for a bench player (via Mark Bowman of MLB.com). Kazmir has some upside as a rotation piece too.
Not insignificant is the fact that the Dodgers have opened up multiple spots on their 40-man roster, including one that was already earmarked for Tom Koehler, with whom the Dodgers have recently agreed to a one-year deal.
Kemp, 33, was a sixth-round selection of the Dodgers back in 2003. He made his major league debut in 2007, and went on to have some great seasons for Los Angeles, including a 2011 campaign in which he finished as the runner-up in the MVP voting. Later that year, the club signed the outfielder to an eight-year, $160MM extension. Not long after that, his performance began to decline; Kemp has only topped 1 WAR once in the past four seasons as his contract has been tossed between the Padres, Braves and Dodgers. For the 2017 season, Kemp hit .276/.318/.463, making him a roughly average major league hitter (100 wRC+). However, his poor defense in the outfield dropped his overall value to -0.5 fWAR.
Gonzalez, now 35 years of age, went to the Marlins with the number one overall pick in the 2000 draft. His breakout season came with the Padres in 2006; that year began a streak of ten consecutive seasons wherein the left-handed-hitting first baseman posted at least 2.9 fWAR. Across those years, he posted a .292/.366/.501 slash line and mashed 283 homers. This past season, however, Gonzalez battled injuries throughout the year and didn’t hit well when healthy; he amassed only 252 plate appearances across 71 games with the Dodgers and managed a career-worst .355 slugging percentage. All told, Gonzalez was valued at 1.1 wins below replacement level.
Kazmir’s story is a roller coaster of sorts; he was a great pitcher during his early years with the then-Devil Rays, including a 2007 season in which he posted a 3.48 ERA with 239 strikeouts across 206 2/3 innings. However, Kazmir began to struggle with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2009, and though he experienced a resurgence in July that prompted a trade to the Angels, his ERA during the 2009 postseason was an ugly 7.59. Those struggles continued into the 2010 season, and by 2011 Kazmir was pitching for the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate and was cut before June was over. After spending 2012 out of MLB entirely, the Indians took a chance on him in 2013, and he rewarded them with a 4.04 ERA (and 3.51 FIP) campaign that earned him the Comeback Player of the Year Award. He signed a two-year deal with the Athletics the following offseason, and seemed to be “back.” The Dodgers signed Kazmir to a three-year, $48MM deal, but the injury bug struck once again, marring his 2016 performance and keeping him off the field entirely in 2017.
The 34-year-old McCarthy has a career 4.15 ERA across 1,145 big league innings with the White Sox, Rangers, Athletics, Diamondbacks, Yankees and Dodgers. He’s generally provided value while on the field, but has only topped 140 innings twice in his twelve-year career. Part of that can be attributed to injuries, including a 2015 Tommy John surgery when he famously noted on Twitter that “31 years is a lot to ask for from a ligament.” During the past two seasons, he’s put up a 4.27 ERA while striking out 116 batters in 132 2/3 innings.
Based on his age and team control, the soon-to-be 29-year-old Culberson is the one player in this deal who looks capable of being a long-term piece. The Georgia native won’t even be eligible for arbitration until next winter, meaning the Braves could control him for the next four seasons. The righty-hitting Culberson hasn’t found much big league success since debuting in 2012, though, having hit just .229/.269/.321 in 443 PAs with three NL West clubs – the Giants, Rockies and Dodgers. Culberson racked up a mere 83 trips to the plate in two seasons with the Dodgers, but he did swat a couple dramatic homers during his LA tenure.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Wow. That is the dumbest move I’ve ever seen on the Dodgers side. Losing Mccarthy and then 3 other personnel for Kemp who is absolutely terrible. A guy terrible in the clubhouse who just goes through the motions to collect money.
LOL why is this a bad move? They get out of all that money and can now sign either Darvish or Arrieta outright
Damn. You’re probably right that this means a big pitching acquisition is next.
Dilly, Dilly.
The big deal is salary cap 2018 less than 197 million and reset the penalty from 50% to 20 % going forward . That will be a big deal next year and for years going forward. The Dodgers might be able to move Kemp tp americn leagure team if the want. The only quesrion is why not earlier.
Yeah, I agree. This wasn’t likely made for any other reason than to get under 197. Makes little sense for them to go add more dollars when they already have a stacked team.
Stop saying that lol 😉
They only freed up around $8 million but probably Atlanta sends money in the deal also.
i think you mean Dodgers send money.
No. It’s roughly 51 million Dodgers are sending over and the Braves send over Kemp’s 42 million. Even if they don’t send money, 8 million for Gonazlez, Kazmir, Mccarthy, and Culberson I would take in a heartbeat.
It’s not about how much they ‘freed’ up, it’s 100% about getting below that luxury tax so they can try to go after some of the big name free agents next year without paying a 50% penalty. AKA – This is the first step in trying to make a run at Harper or another stud.
This is a GREAT move by the Dodgers. The only people who won’t understand this is the people who only look at the names and don’t understand the MLB tax and payroll structure.
It’s also a good move for the Braves. They free up a spot for Acuna if they want to call him up. They also get two vet pitchers they should be able to use or move (save innings on the young arms and maybe let a couple of the young guys come out of the pen). They can then move the vets at trade deadline (should be some takers on these two), or, if things break their way they may keep them if they have a legit shot at the playoffs. (these are the Dickey, Colon, and Garcia equivalents). They also get Culberson, who will likely be a utility guy. Lastly, the contracts for the Braves will basically be gone after this year, so they won’t have to worry about Kemp next year.
This is a solid trade by GM’s. on both sides.
Gonzalez was already designated for assignment.
I think you are missing the point for the Dodgers. Even with evening out the money by tossing in the $4.5 million, they spread out Kemp’s $43 million over two years instead of paying the equivalent amount to AGon, Kaz, and McCarthy all in 2018. That allows the Dodgers to getunder the tax threshold this year, which saves them more than $10 million right away AND reset their tax from 50 to 20 percent if they go over again in 2019, when they might be paying Kershaw and/or Harper $35-40 million per year.
Atlanta doesn’t have to worry about the tax, so every dollar LA saves is like printing free money they can spend on other players if they want to, that’s why it is worth it to give up whatever marginal value they might have gotten out of the non-AGon/Kemp players who wouldn’t have just been released anyway.
Well the doyuers were already paying the rest of the money so now they’re are back to paying the full amount
Who cares
Kemp sucks anyways
He was never the same once he had that injury
Well said, Bert17. This is absolutely a win for the Dodgers as far as money goes. Next offseason is a big one and having some wiggle room money and tax wise is a definite bonus. Good trade.
No Atlanta receives money in the deal. 4.5 million. Read the article
The comment was made before the details appeared in the article.
exactly it’s a great trade for the Dodgers and actually works out well for the Braves as well because they’re getting an upside play on Kazmir and McCarthy on essentially one year deals and then getting a solid middle infielder could be a win-win
la saved 27 million, was a wash in amount but kemps salary is 2 years plus we were already paying him 3.75 million. this allows Dodgers to get under the 197 million salary cap. and penalty in 2017 was 50 percent and if la stay under 197 million for 2017 the penalty will only be 20% if and when they go over but I believe they are planning not to go over after this. Dodgers will be 27 million less and 2018 salary with arb is about 160 million
But it actually clears a lot more than $8M for the Dodgers when you account for the luxury tax they won’t be paying. Also it’s $20M for Kemp this year and next. Over $50M for the other 3 this year, so it saves $30M plus the luxury tax
No, they sent money to Atlanta, read!
Is Culbertson a solid infielder? I know his famous home run but numbers really don’t impress at all.
Dilly dilly
Hey great job regurgitating all the info in the article. Your Mom write this for you?
No kidding right?!
I get that it’s about the luxury tax threshold but it’s still a dumb trade. They operate so inefficiently.
If you get that it’s about the luxury tax, them why is it dumb? They’re going to DFA Kemp anyway… I’d say it’s very efficient.
So inefficiency leads to a World Series appearance and one of the best rosters in baseball, along with one of the best farm systems about a year or two ago before all of their prospects started getting promoted? I would gladly take that. I would try to reason with you but it would be like talking to a brick wall considering your obvious anti-Dodgers bias. I would like to know, however, what great organization you run. Your obviously such an expert on how to run a sports franchise that you must be the GM/President of a successful franchise.
A World Series loss you mean.
Ya but the dodger way is HAVING to sign a big name every off season and still failing
What big names has the current front office signed?
Or preparation for when Kershaw opts our next year.
Kershaw SHOULD opt out. Dumb management, dumb organization.
I’m a Yankee fan that’s doesn’t understand how you are calling a team that made it to the world series a dumb team…
An organization that took 5 years straight of playoff berths to finally go to the WS and then choke. I think wish all of them the best and looking forward to seeing Culberson blossom.
Bit of an idiot aren’t you bud?
Not you davis, Blake!
Yeah all they do is compete every year, lead in attendence, make a pile of money and own the West Coast. They’ve won in the 50’s, 60’s, 3 WS appearances in the 70’s, won in the 80’s, as had the worst ownership change from O’Malley to Fox, then to McCourt…. Now they have good ownership and it’s 5 divisions in a row and a WS appearance…. yeah, that sucks… not. Go have your Mom make you a sandwich and back down to the basement and get back on your blow up girlfriend.
Zaidi is leading the dodgers to the bottom. He has no idea what he’s doing and it’s a shame Kershaw has to go through this.
You do realize that pretty much all of the players they traded away had pretty much nothing to do with the dodgers making it to the World Series last year right?
Yeah they are totally going in the wrong direction right?
Doyuers biggest issues has been pitching
They will need more than one starter
Do you guys not read? They made this trade to get under the luxury tax threshold. There’s no room for them to sign any of those guys, unless they’re planning on going over the threshold again
How? They dumped a good chunk of their salary
And Kazmir and McCarthy have been hurt so why not dump them and prob sign darvish tho he wasn’t all that great for them
exactly McCarthy probably has about even value Kazmir is definitely negative and as great as he’s been gonzalez is definitely negative at this point as well
As a rebuilding team it’s not a bad bet to take. If McCarthy and Kazmir get healthy and post solid numbers they could be flipped at the deadline. Also good to have people to eat innings if their younger pitchers aren’t ready yet
They might just cut Kemp loose. They just cleared a lot of money off their payroll, and don’t appear to have given up a prospect to do so.
Fair chance the Dodgers keep Kemp on the roster. He may not be able to field a whole lot anymore but, he can still swing, and it isn’t like they have a better RH bench bat already.
This wasn’t about the talent for talent exchange
So in other words, it’s basically a paper transaction!
Supposedly this puts the Dodgers under $197M in payroll for 2018 and that resets the penalties.
Exactly ! This isn’t about freeing up money to sign free agents. It’s about getting under and resetting the luxury tax threshold.
My guess is that Kemp never puts a Dodgers uniform
Me too…and I’ll bet that A-Gon signs with the Padres and ends his career there
My guess is Puig gets flipped
Why the hell would that happen?
Whaaaaaa?
Kemp probably never sees an AB for the Dodgers. He’ll be traded or DFA’ed within a week, i bet. A-Gon has already been DFA’ed. This move was all about the salary relief for each team – Dodgers win this season, Braves win next season.
I think for the Braves is about cutting their loses, since they get 2 players they can use in Kazmir and McCarthy even though they take on more salary this year
But Kemp had already seen a lot of at bats for the the Dodgers.
It’s a salary cap-based trade in a salary cap league.
Except there is no salary cap in baseball.
Yes there is. Doesn’t have to be a hard cap to be an effective cap.
No team is going above that second level and staying there. So far every team going past the first level has taken steps to reset.
If Harper and Machado make it to free agency next winter it will be the first time since 2000 (A-Rod and Manny Ramirez) when two such position talents were available.
Most elite guys never see free agency in their prime. Free agency is effectively an expensive wavier wire.
As a side note, if I’m an MLBPA member my absolute #1 priority in the next CBA is getting rid of (or at least significantly softening) the luxury tax. Players want teams like the Yankees and Dodgers going b*lls-out for top talent and setting the bar for future FA’s and arbitration cases, and the cap definitely hinders that.
It won’t stop them and hasn’t stopped them. The best in baseball have signed larger contracts for a longer time period than those in the NBA and definitely the NFL. Look up the largest sports contracts and you’ll see a majority of the largest onces are baseball. If anything it keeps those teams at bay when signing free agents which gives other teams the opportunity to sign big deals with free agents.
Smart move by the Dodgers wtf are you talking about
Don’t worry about it, Kemp is getting released. LA just trying to get under the luxury tax threshold.
@blake…..how exactly would you know how Matt kemp is “in the clubhouse” by the way?……Because Joel Sherman told you?
Kemp is either going to be flipped or released.This was all about getting below the Luxury tax threshold.Dodgers got rid of $47.5 million in contracts with this move.Gearing up for next year’s big free agent class!
No more like Atlanta is really stupid. Really really stupid.
Nope. Great move by the Braves. They’ve only got 3 guaranteed contracts for 2019 now in Freeman, Teheran and Inciarte. They have set themselves up to be major players in the 2019 free agency class.
“They have set themselves up to be major players in the 2019 free agency class.”
ROFLOL!
Phillies can forget about Harper and Machado, here come the Liberty Media Braves.
Braves only have $37..7M in guaranteed contracts for the 2019 season. Braves payroll is expected to be between $120-$130M. You do the math.
That’s so hard to fathom. Good for their fans really.
This has pretty consistently been speculated to be the plan. For 3 years now, 2018 and 2019 were supposed to be the big years for development. The Luxury tax line punishments have become so severe that teams really don’t want to be involved with it, that will eliminate a lot of conventional suitors for big names in a stupid deep FA class.
I doubt they’ll be chasing Machado or Harper, but snagging one of Miller, Britton, or Kimbrel/going after a Marwin Gonzalez or Josh Donaldson or Keuchel type seems entirely reasonable.
Exactly. I’m thinking Kimbrel and then one of the outfielders like Blackmon or Pollock. Markakis’s deal is done after the 2018 season and so the Braves will need to find a replacement for him. No one we currently have in the minors looks like a suitable replacement. While it would be a dream to true to land Bryce Harper, there’s pretty much no way that happens.
“Braves only have $37..7M in guaranteed contracts for the 2019 season. Braves payroll is expected to be between $120-$130M. You do the math.”
Players have to want to sign there, though.
They are an awful team. Maybe if 2018 goes well they can lure some talent.
Also where do you get a $130m payroll for the braves?
You mean dumping 3 players that played the least last year? Lol
you mean that hardly played last year and added zero to the team! make it 4 guys!
@blake
So you know all about Kemp huh?
And you think the trade was about getting Kemp back? Haha. Too cute.
Haha right, never seen someone be so wrong so many times on the same thread. Hopefully why he stopped commenting
Hopefully he’s been banned
what about that one guy trying to say zimmerman was a better defender than simmons?? haha that was pretty dumb
try reading some more about this trade maybe? Like even in this blog post above it pretty much explains it ALL. There’s nothing dumb about it. It makes sense for both teams, and Kemp is unlikely to play for LA (They’ll probably be able to flip him to an AL team and get something back). The luxury tax is huge and key, frees them up to do a lot more. Makes sense for Braves, too. Don’t understand the thought process behind your comment.
The Dodgers are going to release Kemp. He’s not going to see the clubhouse. It was a money dump to reset tax so they can sign upcoming free agents next year. Kershaw probably in plans and who knows who else.
How is this dumb they got ride of 4 guys that were not going to do ANYTHING this year! and got a solid 30-100 right handed bat! Roberts can change his attitude! but thanks for playing!
Based upon the resounding rejection of your assessment and follow up comments on this transaction/post, might I suggest that you think twice before you pop off in the future. What a joke!
31 dislikes dang…. thats got be a record. I think the 1st 10 were dodgers fans, and then everyone (including me) just starting disliking to bring the total up.
I was upset too in the beginning but this is all about saving money and getting under the 50% luxury tax for next year. Pitching will be a priority. They have to resign Kershaw.
Kemp won’t be in that clubhouse. He’s trade bait for a AL team. They dumped a lot of salary, that was the key to this trade. Just watch. They’ll move Kemp.
Best. Winter Meetings Ever. I’m not even a Dodgers fan.
Who doesn’t love the wheelin’ and dealing?
winter meetings ended 2 days ago lol
Odd timing right… this trade couldn’t have been discussed during the winter meetings, whatsoever….
Considering trades aren’t discussed weeks in advance, especially ones as complicated as this.
2017 Winter Meetings Best Ever.
If by “best ever”, you mean a bunch of middle relievers being signed, then true. The only real substantial move made during the meetings was the Ozuna trade.
One of these days, it would be nice to see a deal that doesn’t involve salary dumping nor a MLB player from a rebuilding team for prospects.
Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned trade where MLB players fill the need of each team? That said, I still don’t want the Cubs to trade a position player for pitching.
As others have noted, this is a salary cap trade, in a salary capless league. (Dodgers reset luxury tax bill in 2018 to 20%, instead of 50%)
I strongly believe it was done in much different fashion than, Marlins’ trades of Stanton/Ozuna/Gordon, since the Yankees still reset their luxury tax in 2018, even after Stanton trade) Not all Salary dump trades are identical, and they even happen in Salary cap leagues (NFL- Rare case of Brock Osweiler trade, NBA: Nets acquire DeMarre Carroll from Raptors, so Raptors get under NBA luxury tax ….sound familiar? and Nets-Lakers Timofey Mozcov trade (Nets gain highly regarded prospect D’Angelo Russell from Lakers, in exchange for absorbing three years $48 million of Timofey Mozgov’s contract)
Salary Dump trades will never truly be dumped– in all sports–
Did I just read that right?
Salary cap-based trade in a salary cap league.
except there’s no such thing as a salary cap in baseball
He’s saying that’s what this is the equivalence to. Don’t be a dunce
How is he a dunce? The prior post specifically stated “salary cap league.” Perhaps he’s educating tim815. You’re assuming that’s what he meant, hence you’re the dunce for assuming.
I think MLB’s salary cap is more like a “voluntary cap.” Teams can go over the luxury tax, provided they pay the penalty. 50% of the luxury tax paid goes back to the other teams that didn’t exceed the luxury tax. So basically, the big-money teams are giving money to their competitors. There’s incentive for staying under the luxury tax.
I don’t understand why the union opposes salary caps since salaries rise faster than the tax, a lot of which is due to arbitration. sooner or later guys are going to start settling for way less than they expect our not get signed since as it is the have and have nots among players is getting more and more- elite players and then everyone else.
why
Did I read that right?!
What in the world
2011 Matt Kemp? Orrrrrrr
BLOCKBUSTER
Why
All I can say is wow
Wtf?
Okay, what?
Wuttttt?
Wow
Holy!!!
Wow.
I saw ken rosenthal report this (his twitter post came up on my google search), I thought it was a joke.
I read the tweet, checked who posted it, checked today’s date, and still don’t believe it to be true.
My first thought was “It isn’t April 1st, is it?”
Rosenthal repeats what others get, he is a joke, and what’s money for his new site. He has yet to break a story. He’s a blog reader.
That was actually my first thought too. I thought it had to be a parody account or something.
Nothing to dislike about this move.
Agreed dodgers have been trying to move Adrian even offered him in the Stanton offer
Really?
Whoa…
Exqueeze me? Baking Powder?
What is the $$$ difference in those? That’s 3 big contracts for 1
I just did the math and if I figured It all out then the Dodgers are sending $52 million in contracts that expire after next season while Kemp is making about $43.5 million over the next two…the Dodgers will probably send a few million to Atlanta to balance it out but it looks like they’re just spreading out all of this to pay it in two years instead of one
the thing is that the Dodgers already had some of the comp contract and the Padres have some too that means there’s some more difference
That’s true, I didn’t factor any of that in there
What a strange trade. I hope the Bravos benefit most.
Salary dumping
Wow. Huge move for both clubs. I’m guessing the Braves may try to move Gonzo because they already have Freddie at first but we’ll see.
Can’t he play 3rd? Dont follow the Braves so not sure
He can barely walk
I think he meant Freddy.
I take it you’re referring to Freeman playing 3rd…Yes, Freddie can in fact play 3rd base; HOWEVER, Gonzo is getting released..
Also, for what it’s worth, in order to fit Matt Adams flaming hot bat in the line-up, ATL tried Freeman at 3rd base last year, with fairly decent and pretty suprising results, BUT he ended up suffering an injury to his throwing shoulder. Which the injury was due to Freeman simply making throws from angles he wasn’t accustomed to, so that quickly ended his tryout at 3rd base..
This season, the Braves are most likely to have Johan Camargo and Rio Ruiz platoon at 3rd. They will start until the time comes to call-up, 3B prospect, Austin Riley.
Riley should be ready sometime during the late 2018 season or early 2019 season, possibly for a late call up this upcoming September…depending on his play at AAA…
They’re gonna DFA him
Good work
More like DFA
Gonzalez will be DFA’d tomorrow by Atlanta per his request.That was the only way they got him to waive his no trade clause.
I mean, they are already paying most of his contract anyway.
Why in the heck… Swap of contracts for that many…. Do the braves have more wrong with them than i initially thought…?
clears room in the Outfield and they get two pictures that while injured a lot could fill in for the rotation until their young guys are ready
Correct, P-wordisP-word, now the Braves have room for ultra prospect Ronald Acuña.
They also get amother super utility guy in Culberson, who will fight Colon for a bench spot in Spring Training. Also, they get Kazmir and McCarthy who can either help out in the pen or in the starting rotation.
Even if both are only healthy for a combined 100-150 innings, that’s plenty of innings that the youngsters can use fine tuning their craft in AAA…Max Fried, Lucas Sims, Kolby Allard, and Mike Soroka all really need some more time in AAA, and none of those pitchers are ready for a full season’s work of ML innings and starts…
Even Gohara, who has been mentioned as their number 4 starter, could use a little more seasoning at AAA…So, even if the Braves trot out both McCarthy and Kazmir in their starting 5, it will still be all good…
Like I said, neither pitcher will truly be counted on for alot of innings. Worst case scenario they both get injured after taking up a couple of starts, and get replaced by the youngsters…Which would still benefit the Braves by delaying the rookies’ service time clocks..And it would also take up some innings to then have the youngsters take over…
Best case scenario, both prove to be effective ML pitchers, they take up innings, and get traded at the deadline for an asset or two, and then the rookies are called back up…
Not to mention, now the Braves no longer have Kemp’s money tied to them next season!!! Which will be a huge bonus for a free agent pool that should be full of candidates to help improve this roster!!!
Couldn’t be more of a WIN for the Braves…I thought they might be stuck with Kemp, or have to eat all of his money to free up a roster spot for Acuña!!
Agree completely and the analysis about Kazmir/McCarthy is pretty spot on. This is pretty much a win-win for both sides. Braves clear future cap space while adding arms to the roster with no future commitment to them. Dodgers add salary for next year, but they get to reset their luxury tax. Considering the ownership seems to be willing to spend, the future luxury tax shouldn’t be too big of an issue that would prevent them from being active in next year’s free agent frenzy.
This one confuses me.
Dodger’s get under the cap this year, Braves have less money committed for next year’s free agency.. Nothing more, nothing less.
Coppy, I mean AA, is a genius!!!
Is Freeman gonna play 3rd? Is Gonzo? Are they gonna flip Gonzo?
Gonzalez being DFA’d
Flip Gonzo? Hilarious that you think that was even possible
Yeah at 220 lbs I wouldn’t want to be the guy who tried.
Obviously a contract dump. FO made it clear they wanted to get rid of the dead money they were paying these guys
So if Grandal gets traded this offseason, as has been suggested, then we’ve pretty much come full circle. Party like it’s 2014.
if only he had been in this swap
Well that escalated quickly…
Wow I knew the dodgers were looking to get rid of Gonzalez but this seems very excessive.
Scorched earth tactics apparently.
Does this mean the braves are going to contend next year or are they still going to fall flat again?
If both Kazmir and Mccarthy are healthy then they have a decent rotation and Gonzo is bound to hit better than last year.
Gonzo is DFA’d, this move allows them to move Markakis to left (if they don’t get rid of him) and start Acuña in right, which is a big upgrade immediately. Plus McCarthy as a 5th starter. Kazmir and McCarthy come off the books after this season, which frees up a bunch of capital to make a big splash in the star studded ’19 free agency.
I know it’s not a super great trade but this single trade solves so many problems we had this off-season and next. Now all we need is a couple of pitchers to actually play well, a 3B, anD a catcher for 2019
Absolutely! I completely agree. Hopefully our 3B problem will be solved by Austin Riley in ’19. I’m thinking by ’19 or ’20, the Braves will be playoff contenders again.
I just come here for the comments. some of you guys make my day! does AA have dirt on someone? did someone get too drunk at the Christmas party?
I read the article wrong, but still. Opens up an OF spot for Acuña when ready and gives them a couple of possible deadline chips.
Wow
Big trade, the braves must think that they can flip Gonzalez or else they’ll have an expensive bench player.
Gonzo has already been DFA’d. Keeps the Dodgers from being the bad guy
I was still trying to understand why Atlanta wanted Kemp from San Diego.
Because they got rid of Hector Olivera in taking Kemp. And as a Padres fan, I hated Kemp but would have preferred him over Olivera since the Padres literally DFA’d Olivera the second they acquired him.
Wow. Does the commissioner office even look at the trades before approving them ?
What is there not to approve? The money exchanged is pretty close to even.
How is this unacceptable to you? Lol
Seems to make sense for both teams.
Yes, I find it very good for both teams
Lifelong dodger fan scratching my head.
Dodgers get under the cap this upcoming season and give up nothing of importance. Now the Dodgers will have some flexibility to exceed the cap in next year’s free agency at a reduced rate. Also frees up 3 spots on the 40 man.
Why is it a dumb move got rid of players that have been hurt and Adrian Gonzalez and his attitude last year in the playoffs made this move easy
Gonzalez didn’t have an attitude problem last year in the playoffs. That was a media-fabricated story.
Looks to be a move to free up roster sports for Dodgers.
Yes!! Been hoping they’d bring him back to LA! Now Berlinger can stay at first. I love this move. The guy isn’t the same and isnt very good defensively but he can still hit. I love it. Love that we got rid of McCarthy and Kashmir. Will miss Gonzales but he’s done I think. I know there will be some Lille that hate on this trade but I really think it’s a good move.
He’s not gonna wear a dodgers uniform lol
Look at the time I made the comment genius. That was before it was reported they were going to trade him or release him. “lol”
Whoa
Come on people. It is clearly a salary dump. Sure Kemp is making $20+ but the four players they got rid of are making three times that.
Baseball is slowly starting to resemble the NBA, in that payroll & salaries, are playing more of a roll in trades than talent does.
Only in extreme circumstances like this
Kazmir and McCarthy come off the books after next season, if you look at total amount of contract $$ exchanged, it’s about even.
It is about even, but it gives the Dodgers so much wiggle room for this year. They essentially chopped 27M off the payroll this year. They don’t have to worry to much about payroll next year as they have other money falling off. The major concern was about flexibility in 17.
I don’t see how this benefits the Braves…
Dodgers get under luxury tax, all the contracts the braces are taking are done after this year and they open spot for Acuna
Or they could’ve just released Kemp and not taken on an extra $35mil in salary this year to open a spot for Acuna…
Again, I don’t get it for the Braves unless they’re planning something else after this.
They added two pitchers. Who might be of value.
And all Atlanta’s costs are in 2018.
Braves get two pitchers who have the potential to be useful in 2018 and a utility player off the bench. All the contracts are done after 2018. Braves have just 3 guaranteed contracts for 2019.
Freddie Freeman = $21M
Julio Teheran – $11M
Ender Inciarte – $5..7M
That’s it. Braves couldn’t just release Kemp because then they would have still been on the hook for him for 2019. By doing this they get out from all bad contracts for 2019. The 2019 free agent class is loaded. Braves will be major players.
Kazmir is expensive, bad, and hasn’t pitched in over a year. McCarthy has thrown ~150 innings over the last 3 years combined. Neither one of them will add much value to the 2018 Braves.
Culberson has a -0.9 career WAR. He’s the opposite of useful.
And I’m perfectly aware that they can’t just cut Kemp and not pay him. I’m saying that if they wanted to open up a spot for Acuna that badly, they should’ve just cut Kemp and pay him to go away. That would’ve cost them a total of ~ $30mil over the next 2 seasons combined. This move adds ~$35mil to the payroll this year alone. No, it doesn’t add anything to the 2019 payroll, but those savings could’ve been rolled over into next year’s team, and they would’ve come out $20mil ahead of where they are now – and that’s after paying Kemp to go away.
The only way I see this trade making sense for the Braves is if they plan on handing out multiple gigantic contracts next offseason, and the extra $15mil they’d still be on the hook for with Kemp would bump them over the tax threshold. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see the Braves adding $160mil in payroll for 2019.
Braves only have $37..7M in guaranteed contracts for 2019. Payroll is expected to be in the $120-$130M range. You do the math and tell me why the Braves wouldn’t sign 2 or 3 marquee players going into the 2019 season? We don’t have to sign Harper or Machado, although I’d give my left nut to see them sign Harper, to get impact players. The class is so deep. I could realistically see them signing someone like Blackmon or Pollock.
Now as far as how useful or unsuseful Kazmir and/or McCarthy might be. Even if they flop it doesn’t matter. What matters is having no more bad contracts after the 2018 season. That’s the important thing here. Who cares that the Braves are paying more money up front in 2018 than they would have by just eating Kemp’s contract? It doesn’t change the Braves plans heading into the season.
Plus they might still be able to dump Markakis. Either way, there’s nothing bad about this trade for the Braves.
And they would’ve only had roughly $6omil in guaranteed contracts for 2019 had they paid Kemp to go away. Plus, they wouldn’t have wasted an extra $35mil this year on useless players. That’s $20mil that could’ve easily been rolled over into 2019’s payroll if they wanted ($35mil saved – $15mil owed to Kemp). Even if they chose to go that route, having Kemp’s contract on the books wouldn’t have put them anywhere near the tax threshold.
In regards to why they wouldn’t sign 2 or 3 marquee players going into the 2019 season, I don’t really need to do the math… I know that they’ll be bidding against the Dodgers (whom they just helped reset their tax), Yankees (also just got under the limit), Cubs, Phillies, etc. Everybody is saving their money for the 2019 free agent class, not just the Braves. If they want to outbid everyone and give out multiple massive contracts, they absolutely have plenty of space for it – but they also would’ve had more than enough space even if they kept Kemp or paid him to go away, maybe even more.
And I never said there was anything BAD about this trade for the Braves. I said it doesn’t benefit them and it doesn’t make a great deal of sense. They clearly have the payroll space to make the move, and they didn’t give up anything of value, so it doesn’t hinder them in any way. I just don’t think it adds much value for them (if any), and I think they could’ve easily used their resources more efficiently – unless maybe the owner said he wouldn’t roll over any saved money from 2018 into the 2019 budget.
I’m not understanding your whole “rolling saved money this year in the 2019 offseason” comments. This year’s payroll has nothing to do with the 2019 payroll. You don’t get to add the two together. At least it’s not the way it’s going to work. Braves aren’t going to have like a $160M payroll for 2019. It’s only going to be $120-130M range like it was this year. Just because the 2018 payroll is looking to be around only $85M, depending on what other moves are made, doesn’t mean they’ll add that extra saved money to the 2019 payroll.
Opens a spot for Acuña, plus both pitchers come off the books after next season, which could possibly allow the Braves to spend big in the ’19 free agency . They can get some value in McCarthy being a 5th starter and Kazmir in the pen (if he gets healthy).
It’s okay. Not everyone can have average intelligence to understand why certain things happen
Dodgers putting in the work and Atlanta trying to make the most of a bad thing. Arietta or Yu? Who ya pick?
I think Yu since it’s been said they’ve been talking to him and haven’t heard anything about Arrieta although I’d much rather have Arrieta since he’s shown in big games he doesn’t choke like Darvish does. But I guess we wait and see
Wasn’t there offer for Stanton similar? Maybe a prospect instead of Culberson?
This is really horrible trade by the Braves when it comes to the 2018 season.
I wouldn’t say horrible for ’18. We now have a spot for Acuña, a veteran 5th starter, and we won’t have to worry about Kemp’s 20 mil in the ’19 offseason.
I don’t see why people are complaining. Who in the market would sign a cheap deal and be replacement level for one year? Not many. This is essentially a free cost trading in Kemp for McCarthy and Culbertson.
I don’t get it either, but my guess is, they’re just complaining for the sake of complaining haha.
If you added up the total amount of the contracts that the Dodgers and Braves have traded to/dumped on each other via trades over the last few years, you could buy your own team with that amount.
This made me laugh
Talk about a salary dump
This is a good move by the dodgers. I’m a yankees fan by the way. They don’t need Adrian Gonzalez at all cuz they have bellinger now. Culberson doesn’t rlly impact. Same with McCarthy and he’s always hurt. And Kasmir, yea he’s good but he also gets hurt. Yes kemp does too but he’s productive. He’s the most productive player in this trade. He had a good season, on pace for about 25 home runs. Ilike this pickup, and the dodgers cleared a lot of money up, I’m sure that was a big part of this. Now they cleared up a lot of money and will probably sign somebody big such as Jake arrieta. This could be a move that leads up to an even bigger move.
Uh ok! Mind boggling
Bob Nightengale is saying Gonzalez will likely be DFA by Braves
It clearly says above he’s already been DFA
That wasn’t posted at the time I said that.
It was already in the growing article.
That’s hilarious
Doyuers can taken
Dodgers ditch some sizable money here, but seems unnecessary to trade Culberson as well as 2 arms, especially with how injury-proned their staff has been.
Why not designate A-Gon for assignment yourself and just not take on any other deal?
because if you dfa him you have to pay it this way the Dodgers clear a lot of payroll and the Braves pay it. also they traded two of the most injury-prone arms. and I’m assuming after this move that they will sign someone like Arrieta with the savings
This isn’t a good reason to lose out on potential profit but one idea has been that the Dodgers didn’t want to upset A-Gon fans by releasing him and this in a sense makes the Braves the bad guys or good guys in effect since he will be released. If the Dodgers released him there could be some back-lash. Not a good reason for the trade, but it was a component
Two days until the Mets shock the world and sign Mike Moustakas
Unfortunately for Mets fans, it’s almost as likely that Anderson and the Wilpons “shock the world” by signing Adrian Gonzalez.
Dodgers gotta be making another move. Wouldn’t it be funny if they trade Grandal. Be like they never made that trade of Grandal for Kemp lol. I have a feeling Grandal will be traded in a package for a starter if the Dodgers don’t sign a pitcher which is a good possibility after freeing up all that money.
I’m not sure if I’m feeling like an Annie Lennox kinda why or a Nancy Kerrigan kinda why? Perhaps a precursor to a big free agent signing?
Great salary dump for Dodgers so they can now go after frontline SP. Braves buy more time to develop their young SP and possibly just landed a solid player in Culberson. Makes all the sense to me.
Idk if I should be mad or excited.. Kemp was one of my favorite Dodgers! But Culberson smh
Fr the only downside is I seen culberson was a part of the trade but you gotta give to get
Rangers just missed there opportunity to unload Choo and fill a lot of holes on the team.
It’s becoming borderline comical how teams are trying to dump salaries these days. Fans jump up and down when their favorite team signs a big time free agent. A few years later they start grumbling about the player being an albatross. Then the last year or two the player gets dumped for a bag of rocks. Happening almost every time a FA gets over a $100M contract.
With all that being said, I agree that this would have been an opportunity for the Rangers to dump the albatross of a contract that Choo has. He’s all but worthless.
I think this is a good trade for both sides. Kemp still hits for power and isn’t as bad as people make him out to be (although I do think he’s gonna get flipped right away), Culberson is capable of playing every infield position and even has a bit of LF and CF experience, he could be useful. McCarthy and Kazmir offer some veteran presence that I feel the Braves could certainly use. This trade will end up benefitting both sides for sure.
I think I heard somewhere that Kazmir might never be able to pitch again so he’s probably just in it to balance the money
Agreed. McCarthy and Kazmir can eat some quality innings when healthy. Braves can plug them both into the rotation and leave them there until they’re injured again. AGon was an expensive spare part for LAD who sealed his fate when he went on that European vacation during the World Series. One possibility for ATL is to offer Gonzalez to CLE for Kipnis. That would definitely be a win-win.
There is no way that you get Kipnis from Cleveland for Gonzo! They are gonna release him bright
and early Monday morning
and the Dodgers will prob do the same with Kemp!
I doubt this. I understand it if the Dodgers are trying to get under the cap before 2019, but wouldn’t you just release everyone else and keep Culberson?
I’m not sure Culberson would have even made it through the winter. That’s the whole point of the trade. Gain financial flexibility and free up valuable roster spots.
Terry Francona might not see that as a win-win after his experience with Gonzalez and the infamously difficult to manage 2011 Boston Red Sox.
Hi, Indians fan here…that would definitely not be a win-win because the Indians would draw an extremely short end of the stick in that scenario
Go home Dodgers….you’re drunk
Wow!!! Crazy as hell.
Dodgers scrambling to do something after blowing Otani AND Stanton.
How are people saying Kemp is done? Do you guys even watch baseball? Hopefully he can stay healthy
This trade ends up making sense when you think a lot about the money involved but I don’t understand what Culberson has to do with anything or why he’s involved hahaha
He’s a victim of a roster crunch chances are he wasn’t necessarily guaranteed a place on Dodgers 40 man. It also makes sense as the Braves were looking for a vet inf.
LOL I haven’t had time to digest all the ramifications of this surprising deal, but on the surface I like it. Sending Kemp back to the Dodgers was definitely unexpected to me.
Kemp missed Hollywood and was just bored in recent seasons. Good trade for everybody overall.
Excellent move by the Dodgers. See you next FA class.
Next FA class is meaningless. If anything this will hamper their efforts next year or at best it will not do anything to it. All the guys they gave up are due to end after 2018 while Kemp’s runs thru 2019.
It helps if they don’t sign anyone big this offseason and get under the cap. Then they can sign multiple top free agents next year and not incur the 50% tax
Genius trade by LA!
So basically the Braves freed up payroll for 2019 by taking on more 2018 salary and the Dodgers lowered their payroll in 2018 while adding the remainder of Kemp’s 2019 salary. It makes fiscal sense, but it is still very strange when looking at it from a baseball perspective.
On point here. It’s strange but makes a lot of sense. Braves get their vet arm if either of the two guys can make it through at least the break.
It’s just a paper trade.
Anyone know how much the Dodgers were still paying kemp?
I think 9
According to Cots Baseball the dodgers were paying $2.75m/year that they will still pay. Braves were paying $21.75m that the dodgers will pay now too. So dodgers will pay $24.5m/year for 2 years for kemp.
The Padres are covering some of that too.
Great move by AA opens the door for acuna. Kazmir provides a veteran when healthy for the rotation **assuming we don’t drop him. Helps the dodgers out with luxury tax. Most importantly gets kemp off the roster. Solid move. Helping out the dodgers hopefully they send some cash to even it all out. Happy braves fan!
Kemp contract = Dodgers give money to Padres who give money to Braves who give money to Dodgers
So Braves swap money to be out of Kemp’s last year of his contract? Good move.
The funny thing is..Giants fans know this.. altho Adrian is on his last legs, he was one of the only players on that roster who played with more than talent. Heart. Heart wins WS if you can combine with talent. His first inn HR off Cain when he was still with SD, almost kept the Giants out of the 2010 postseason. He went on to LA and was one of the only players we worried about. The rest were overrated. Few years later, I understand he is no longer what he once was. But they treated him poorly, them dumped him. You Stay Classy LA.
I have no idea what point you’re trying to make – this post is a garbled mess.
Go to sleep, please. You make absolutely zero sense.
Dodgers save 22.3 million on Gonzalez,17.7 million on Kazmir , 11.5 million and culberson total of 55 + million . Don’t know how kemp salary works, the Dodgers are already paying 3.75 million of his salary.. Are the dodger sending money to atlanta hope not.
Matt Kemp: $21.75M (ATL) +$3.5M (LAD) + $2.5M (SDP)
$25.25M (LAD) +$2.5M (SDP)
Adrian Gonzalez: $22.36
Scott Kazmir: $17.67M
BrandonMcCarthy: $$11.5
Charlie Culberson: $550
There’s no doubt the Braves will try to flip Adrian Gonzalez and the Dodgers try to flip Matt Kemp.
For 2018, The net difference is the Braves add $30.33M and the Dodgers reduce by the same.
For 2019, The Braves are finished; there are no buy-outs. The Dodgers add $21.75M and pay Matt Kemp $25.25.
If the Dodgers simply cut Matt Kemp, even though they pay his salary, I THINK that their 2019 reported CAP salaries are reduced by $55.58.
Does anyone know if DFA salaries are counted against the cap?
I meant 2018 salaries are reduced by $55.58M.
Yes you’re on the cap for DFAs. Doesn’t have anything to do with this situation, but you’re not on the cap if you successfully outright somebody.
Yes! Dodgers sending $4.5 million to Braves.
Thanks AA, Dodger fans appreciate you 🙂
Didn’t A Gon have a full no trade clause?
He waived it since he was told he wouldn’t play much for the Dodgers in 2018. Either way he’d been paid and no he is a free agent who can sign with anyone.
No, that is not why, but only according to Gonzales himself.
Sigh. Braves fans welcome to the world of Alex Anthopoulis. He is the shrewdest GM in the business. We Jays fans miss him fiercely. If you look at this objectively, it benefits both teams: The Dodgers had too many pieces and not enough playing time for them and moved almost all of them in one move. Yes they have Kemp back, but, instead of having four people who are dead weight, they only have one. For the Braves, they get two veteran pitchers who can pitch for them next year and if healthy, might be effective while they await the development of their prospects. They get Culberson who might plug in as a nice infield option. And with Gonzalez, he could get repackaged in a deal to a AL team. I would bet on that.
They also get rid of Kemps’ contract. The savings will come next year
Who says you can’t go home.
The braves already dfa’d agon.
Friedman sent AA to the Braves, but he still works for us! This frees up so much money!!!
Braves fan here.
Braves get to open and OF spot for Acuna and MLB 2 SP . Expect a trade of a current Braves starter or 3 ( hoping for Archer here )
Dodgers get to spread 43 mil over 2 seasons, freeing up ~15mil each year to go after high priced FA or a pricey trade candidate.
Braves have become the dumping grounds for bad salaries. Wasn’t us getting Kemp just a salary dump to begin with. I don’t get it, it’s not like the Braves are clearing room for future Free agent signings like the Dodgers are clearly doing. They fed us the same line when we swapped Michael Bourne for Nick Swisher, “clearing future salary space” and we never signed any big time free agents then either.
Credit to the Braves for unloading Olivera who no one wanted in a Braves uni for Kemp who at least made losing in ATL fun for a bit by helping protect Freeman, but you’re right on Swisher and Bourn.
Man, when was Kemp a good player last? He’s been so bad for so long now.
2012/2013
Last year he was hurt and still hit 270 something and 19 home rubs. The year before when he was mostly healthy he hit over 30 home runs. He hasn’t been bad for a long time he’s just had a hard time staying healthy. People need to watch some games before all this trash talking about guys. This dude can hit still. He isn’t good defensively and is best suited for DH in the AL but he is far from being a bald player or being washed up. If he finds his way to the AL I bet you he stays a lot healthier and hits 30 home runs at least and bats around 280 which isn’t bad at all
Autocorrect sure had fun with this post. Can’t wait to see Kemp without his hat.
Frees up 1B for Bellinger, gets rid of two subpar/injury prone starters, and they probably try and flip Kemp to an AL team with a need for a right hand hitting DH/corner outfielder…not exactly what I was expecting but definitely makes sense the more and more I look at it…either way tough to see A-Gon go, he was a true pro and gave us some really good years in LA…best of luck to you sir
Charlie Culbertson was great against the Cubs. Could help Braves.
sooo are the Braves planning on flipping A-Gon? don’t see how he fits
planning on cutting him on Monday. He doesn’t fit and doesn’t want to play there. He’ll be a FA.
Dodgers off load roughly $50m in 2018 salary, not sure i love taking on the $20m in contracts for an aging, slow, defensive inept outfielder though. He can still smash the ball, but not like he once could.
Matt Kemp is a complete waste
Remember when the Dodgers wanted AGon so badly that they were willing to take Carl Crawford’s and Josh Beckett’s bloated contracts? It’s a good life when you can be involved in two massive salary dumps.
The two main pieces both DFA ?
That’s different.
Ok no I’m really confused lol. I was happy to get Kemp back and unload all those contracts. I think Kemp can actually help the Dodgers. The guy can still hit even though he’s not very good in the field.but you’re just going to release him? There isn’t an AL team looking for a DH that would take him? Confusing. Gotta see what the Dodgers next move is. Gotta be signing Darvish or Arrieta I’d imagine. Can’t be just to dump salary or else why’d they include Culbertson? That guy has had clutch moments for us and can play all over the field. Really confused right now lol. Hope they have something else going on
Culberson wasn’t long for the roster honestly. He had terrific moments, but chances are during the year he gets exposed when P’s stop trying to beat him with FB’s and Culberson can’t just sit dead red. The flexibility of the roster means the Dodgers don’t need Culberson. The Dodgers will also probably be looking to trade him, but again they’d have to eat substantial money. What we know is Kemp isn’t the greatest clubhouse guy and there were major issues with Puig. There’s virtually no upside in keeping Kemp. His offense no longer covers for his Defense and I’m not sure a platoon role is one that Kemp would be accepting of. They are also going to carry 13 P’s so having 12 positional guy makes it less likely for the traditional bench bat. The front office has shown no problem in parting with a guy if he’s not the right fit.
Go get em Thoppy
Just like that the doyuers are back to lying Kemp’s full contract
Adrian “water cooler” Gonzalez and Matt “ All about Me” Kemp are liking swapping portly wives at a party. Nothing to see here!
That made me chuckle
Impressive moves. And another warning shot to the players union, although they probably won’t recognize it–the luxury tax is evolving into a hard cap while there’s no floor.. The players who are going to be DFA’d and then waived…they will probably never see another ML contract, so won’t have an opportunity to show they can still play.
The tax will either serve as a hard cap OR 6-8 teams will go over and become super teams relegating 22-24 other teams to AAAA status.
After the Stanton deal, I’d bet on the latter happening.
Yankees are going to go under the cap. That’s what the Headley give-away was about. They will reset like the Dodgers and then maybe go in the direction you think. But overall this will eventually drive down salaries.
It’s a CAP.
I didn’t accept the first reports on the CBA. I was stunned. I expected the tax line to jump to $250 million minimum and rise $10 million each year.
That second level…..no one is going over that and staying there.
Now if the players had gotten the service time cut from seven years to four then it might become thinkable for the super team idea you bring up. Most players are old when they hit free agency. Teams can’t live off free agents and thrive at any price.
The owners of those super revenue teams will just bank the profits.
Next off-season is going to be interesting. The Yankees have just added a huge contract with Stanton. The Dodgers will either have to pay massive bucks to Kershaw, or watch him walk. The Astros have to be smart in that they have so many upcoming salaries coming up. The Angels will have room to sign one of the big players. The Cubs will as well. And the Nationals & Phillies will. Four or 5 teams that are logical for the crazy FA class, but that’s about it. These salary dumps that we are seeing will likely keep being more prevalent over the coming year.
Players aren’t allowed to be released on the weekends in the offseason? That is just a very strange rule.
Ha – I thought the same thing!
Even if they dump kemp he is still owed 21 mil this year and next. All 3 of those guys come off at the end of the year. So they must really want to be under this year.
One of the most brilliantly crazy trades I’ve seen.
Agreed
It seems the dodgers flipped culberson in order to clear that dead salary. Were the Braves that desprate for him ? This trade doesn’t benefit them much. Then again Kazmir and McCarthy’s contracts expire at the end of this season if I’m not mistaken. Also kemp has 2 or so seasons left ? Correct me if I’m wrong
I would take Kemp or Gonzo in Boston to DH then sign Hosmer
Lol
I wouldn’t mind that either as a dodger fan…
The taste Gonzo had in his mouth probably means he has interest in re-uniting with Boston.
I saw somebody suggest this in a MLBTR chat whoever was running it said that might actually work. They seriously called it down to the player.
Maybe AA or Zaidi masquerading to see if it flew
At some point in some sport, some exec has seen a trade idea floated by some schmoe on the internet and liked it and called the other team. At least once.
I really really hope so. Maybe one of these times, an exec will be like, “I like that idea. Let’s try to get in contact with him at all costs. He can have my job now.”
probably most surprising move of the offseason. I’m guessing it’s to go after harper or machado next year similar to the yankees
Or Giancarlo when he inevitably opts out.
If anything this trade shows how reckless the dodgers have spent their money over the past few years and if it wasn’t for it they might have gotten Stanton instead of us
That recklessness got us back in the game after the McCourt fiasco. It was necessary to become relevant again.
McCourt was terrible
I don’t know if Gonzalez wants a ton of playing time or a championship or what his motivation is but I would love for him to come home to San Diego. Back up Myers or whoever(Hosmer) and be a great mentor to all the young players.
A great mentor? Guy is a headcase.
Smart move to get under the tax and free up roster spots. Kemp had his best seasons here but I can’t imagine he plays in LF. I would think he is gone.
Two of my favorite all time Dodgers in one trade. Wish them both nothing but the best.
I think it’s an excellent move. McCarthy & Kazmir had both disastrous seasons with little hope of a 2018 getting much better. Kemp is still dangerous at the plate
dangerous when healthy. he was good the first half of the season for the braves. a pure singles hitter the whole second half
Glad to see Matt back…but WHY OH WHY Culberson? (seriously glad to see him get a chance to stick, if not start, in ATL). And then Adrian, a class act until he got Wally Pipp’ed; also the last remaining link to the big Nick Punto Trade…. Guessing next to go will be Grandal….
I think they trade Grandal for sure. Maybe for a reliever. Risky move if you ask me. You never want to go off one good year with bat, I like to see consistency and Barnes only has one good year under his belt and struggled actually pretty bad in the World Series.
According to true blue LA dodgers only have a payroll of 171.5 mil for 2018. They could sign a starting pitcher like darvish or arrieta. My money is they get Zack Britton, which they can absorb all his salary while maintaining the flexibility they have for next year
If that number’s accurate, it would be incredible. With Buehler likely to get a shot this coming season, it would make sense to see them go after a lock down relief arm.. Going with a reliever would also leave them some wiggle room for mid-season trades.
This just in dodgers ready to trade for Cole and mcutcheon
If kershaw opts out does big blue let him walk ? Imo they should unless they can resign him to a short term deal. His velocity has declined a lot over the last few seasons and he has had back problems
Dodger fans what do you think about this ?
Hmm so the Yankees could sign him…no thanks lol
I do NOT want kershaw on the Yankees at all for the reasons I’ve stated lol. Amazing pitcher but he is a potential disaster waiting to happen
I think kershaw is a dodger for his whole career unless he decides otherwise
Oh yankeepatriot you are too funny. I mean you are joking right? Saying Kershaw would opt out to consider signing a short term deal … right … of course you were joking
i could see him signing a 5 year 200mil deal next year
No I’m saying the only way the dodgers should consider bringing him back is to try to get him back for less years. Of course I know kershaw wouldn’t go for that lol
Now sign Wade Davis
A please would be nice.
With sugar on top would be even nicer.
Wrong thread! LoL
Braves get a solid player in Culberson who will work as super utility/AAAA. Probably expect them to sell on McCarthy and Kazmir before July and get something out of it. Salaries come off the books at the end of the season anyways. Moving Kemp allows Acuna to be called up. Win-win for both teams imo.
Good move for the Braves clearing space for Acuna, and getting a veteran pitcher for the staff. also think kazmir could become a solid reliever if he is open to it. all the money is off the books next year as opposed to paying kemp next year as well.
So…
Who will pay the league minimum to get these guys after they get DFAed?
Maybe a minor trade.
Tigers should offer [nothing] for 2 OK prospects and either of them with along with their salary knocked down to $3MM per year.
Tigers make the trade to buy the prospects with an outside shot that either guy is tradeable at the deadline.
ATL/LAD make the trade to reduce how much they owe v. just DFAing them.
Alex Anthopoulos, come back to Toronto! Kazmir, and McCarthy are both trade deadline candidates if they are able to stay healthy and are able to have a decent first half. Anthopoulos turning players of minimal value for assets down the road.. He’s great at it, did in Toronto all the time. Extremely smart gm.
So the Braves new GM recently worked for the Dodgers…interesting
I like your screen name.
Many don’t get why Rodney hat is to the left.
He is honoring a family member, but it gives him a strategic advantage too. He can look forward, but it gives the illusion to the runner on first that Rodney is watching him, because it is cognitively difficult to separate the hat from the head.
Kazmir & McCarthy are Dogs with fleas.
With the money these two make, they can scratch those fleas pretty extravagantly.
At least Kazmir gave the Dodgers some innings and production…..McCarthy’s 130 innings or so over 3 years and $36Million is a travesty and was a completely foolish investment for the Dodgers.
What about Kasmir’s 0 innings in 2017 ?
What happened to the Braves getting top prospects for Kemp?
5 years of replacement level at best play.
People were saying it a year ago.
Gonzales in his own statement on the trade contradicts the theory that he agreed to the trade because of limited playing time:
“My final decision was not based on playing time as I had agreed to a limited bench role,” Gonzalez wrote. “It is a way to test the free agent market and see what opportunities are out there for me so I can make the best decision moving forward for me and my family. Lifting the no trade clause is the hardest decision I have ever made in my career due to the fact that I loved every single second being a Dodger.
“I have talked through this whole process with Andrew and the Dodgers organization and they are giving me this opportunity to see if there is a better fit for me somewhere else. As the roster stands right now, there might not be a spot for me on the roster.
“I want to thank the Dodgers owners for being the best owners I have ever played for. Also my coaches and teammates because with them we had an amazing 5 years together. And most importantly to all the Dodgers fans, no word or phrase can describe how grateful and blessed I am to have been a part of their cheers and support.
“The entire Dodger nation welcomed me with open arms and took me in right away. Thank You for everything to the fans and the city of LA. You will always be in my heart. This closes a chapter for me, but not the book.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-kemp-gonzalez-20171216-story.html
There are a number of people here who really need to read this. I see a few comments regarding the Dodgers treatment of A-Gon, and I should hope this statement clears things up.
Also for those still going on about who A-Gon will be flipped to.
The writer of this article, for a start, if only to correct the misinformation it contains. Doesn’t seem likely to happen though.
rhank you for all the great memory’s while ypu were in LA . Good luck where every you and your family decide to go.
Can somebody explain to me why Dodgers made this move? Why trade for Kemp when they plan to release or trade him? Is it just to get rid of contracts or is there more?
To cut payroll this year so they could get under the tax threshold.
Nobody would just take all those bad contracts off their hands for free, so the Dodgers had to take someone else’s bad contract back.
I predict both Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Markakis get traded to either COL or SFG. NYM and SDP are other less likely options.
Oops. I read that Adrian Gonzales was immediately released. Why did the Braves do that? Whats the advantage to the Braves to eat that much salary?
Just LOL
The only question is to whom will the Braves flip A Gon.
He’s being DFA’d – A-Gon has already released a statement explaining how he wanted to test free agency.
Why trade him then. The Dodgers should have just DFA themselves. Save themselves a headache with Kemp again.
This is essentially the Dodgers entering “Phase 3” of ownership’s plan. Phase 1 was to make the team relevant at all cost. Phase 2 was to rebuild the minor league roster while still contending. Phase 3 is to maintain a sustainable juggernaut.
Finally! Someone gets it. You are exactly right.
Hopefully the money saved will go to Kershaw on an extension, before he opts out…
Now there’s room for me on the roster!
OMG
Welcome to the flotsam for jetsam trade. Four washed up former quality players and a never will be changing uniforms. It looks like the NBA where trading the expiring contracts of equally washed up stiffs is the order of the day. It actually made me laugh when I heard about it.
Why didn’t kenp ask for a no trade clause with that contract he got 4 years ago. He’s been traded 3 times in a little less than 4 years.
Seems sensible for both teams but gotta love this as a Braves fan. Acuna is the most exciting player to come out of the farm system this era and the starting job is now his. Kemp had a great knack at hitting huge monster home runs exclusively in low pressure situations and really did look like a buffalo in left field.
Looking a Kazmir’s stats, none of his peripherals were far off from the quality #3 starter numbers he’s put up the past five years. I’m less enthused about McCarthy, who seems to be perpetually injured and underperforming peripherals. I hope the Braves slot Kaz into their rotation and find a taker for McCarthy in whoever misses out of the Arrieta sweepstakes.
Really hope Adrian catches on with a team and rebounds. He seems like a great guy and a great player, too bad there’s no room for him on the Braves roster.
You’re right about McCarthy. I’ve wondered if McCarthy would have been more or less injury prone pitching from out of the pen and whether he has a season or two of effective set-up work left to offer.
If im Sandy Alderson..and you dont fully entrust Dominic Smith with the 1B job..and u dont wanna spend on Hosmer…or have the assets to acquire Abreu….id take a shot with Adrian Gonzalez….you have Flores as an option in case to compliment Smith…if Gonzalez rakes and ur not in contention…u flip him for a prospect…and if he is hurt…or stinks…its only for a year…..i dont see the harm in exploring Gonzalez as an option to play 1B in 2018
Strange move, made almost entirely for accounting reasons with little or no “baseball” logic behind it, other than Braves getting a useful enough bench piece in Culberson. Makes perfect sense, but looks very, eh, strange.
The baseball logic is there, in a perfect world for front offices, the Dodgers would have cut all these guys if given the opportunity to do so without paying their salaries, the bonus on this case is getting under the tax. The braves fill out their roster which they need to do
Notice how these dodger fans don’t offer and any words to A-Gon? Says a lot about their fan base. dodgers? Fitting name for the team that dodges WS titles.
So we’re supposed to offer words on a baseball trade rumors website, one in which Gonzo frequents often? I got that right correct? Well then here it goes.
Hi Gonzo,
I know you’re reading this drowning in sorrow, because no one has offered words. Or something like that, because the question doesn’t make sense. I would like to thank you for revitalizing the fan base and becoming the face of change. I respect what you did while in Los Angeles. As a fan I wish you the best in your future endeavors. I hope you find an AL team that allows you the flexibility to hit and stay healthy. P.S. don’t check your Twitter, it’s not a site where tons of fans can interact with you, because it’d be hard for dodger fans to say words to you. In ending thank you again AGon.
What is there to say? Did well during first four years but contributed nothing this past season. Hey, why don’t you guys sign him?
Typical Gnats fan. Looks for anything to put down the Dodgers fan base. Give me Adrian’s #, I’ll give him a call. Idiot!
This is so stupid. I hope you’re trolling and don’t actually believe this
Look what Roberts did for puig! I would keep Kemp a solid 30/100 RH bat playing left field! Roberts can get his attitude right fro this team!
It’s not mentality. Its not plate approach. It’s not attitude. The injuries and age have caught up to him. His bat no longer makes up for his defensive inefficiency. He’s aging and having him play in the of is a detriment. Add onto that he wasn’t a great clubhouse guy and it equals eat a lot of salary to trade him/release him and allow him to find a DH spot.
Absolutely zero chance Kemp wears a Dodgers uniform ever again.
Great trade for the Braves but now the question is what’s next ?
Everything I have read about Riley is that is best attribute on the defensive side of the ball is his arm strength so do we move him to the OF and have him replace Markakis when his contract is up and look to sign a 3B or do we leave Riley at 3rd and look to move a young arm for a young OF ? Gonna be interesting but I don’t see the Braves adding any more money of significance for this year. Maybe a run at Machado next year isn’t out of the question
This deal works great for both teams.
Dodgers get to re-set the luxury tax and free up spots on the 40-man, whereas the Braves turn Kemp into a year of Branding McCarthy — who was decent when healthy last season.
Great news! Love it! Now we just trade or release Kemp! A win-win for the Dodgers!
yankees 2019 outfield
judge, stanton….
and bryce harper
Since this is not a baseball trade but just a salary dump, shouldn’t the commissioner have stepped in and voided it?