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Matt Kemp

Buehrle Extension Lives

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UPDATE: Kenny Williams spoke to the press tonight; the White Sox have offered Buehrle no-trade protection except for an 18-month span.  It seems likely that the two sides reach an agreement.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times believes tonight could be Mark Buehrle’s last start as a member of the White Sox.  His teammates have been collecting memorabilia, and extra support is expected tonight at U.S. Cellular.  Hard to believe that this thing died over a no-trade clause.  Perhaps Buehrle wanted a full and the Sox would only give a partial.  But how can they justify passing on a well below-market commitment of 4/54?  The Sox are definitely built to win in 2008.  Everyone Buster Olney talked to is stunned as well.

Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times reported this morning on discussions between the Dodgers and White Sox about Buehrle.  The Sox want outfielder Matt Kemp in a trade.  They may even be asking for more, perhaps Chad Billingsley or Jonathan Broxton.  We know that Kenny Williams’ starting point was each team’s two best prospects.  If the clubs ultimately settle on Kemp for Buehrle straight up – something the Dodgers hope to avoid – Williams will have done well.  He needs an outfielder he can build around.  The L.A. Daily News, however, says no deal is close and the Dodgers haven’t even talked to the White Sox since before extension negotiations died.

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune believes the Mets, Braves, Red Sox, Brewers, and Dodgers will all now increase their interest in Buehrle.  And Lance Berkman of the Astros is now campaigning for him too.  Cowley mentions in his article that the Mets’ interest is now heating up.  And if you’re wondering what the Mariners might be able to offer, check out Dave Cameron’s take.

One long shot possibility: this is all just a noise by the White Sox and they’ll make an extension announcement before Buehrle takes the mound.  That’s the scenario Sox fans are hoping for at this point.

Scott Rolen Dodgers Trade Rumor

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Looking for a trade rumor, and don’t care whether it’s been confirmed in any way?  We got you covered.  A couple of Cards fans have emailed me this thread from Bernie’s Pressbox.  St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz throws this scenario out for debate:

Wilson Betemit and one of Matt Kemp/Andre Ethier for Scott Rolen.

Now, according to Bernie, there’s nothing concrete and he’s just talking.  Still, it’s interesting to ponder.  Factors to consider:

  • Rolen is owed $12MM annually through 2010.
  • He’d have to be convinced to waive his full no-trade clause.  Although maybe he wouldn’t mind playing under a different manager.
  • Rolen is off to a horrible offensive start; he’s on a popup binge.  He hasn’t hit lefties since his shoulder surgery, and his surgically repaired shoulder bothered him late last season.  You would expect a team to want him to show some signs of life and health before taking his contract through 2010.
  • Andy LaRoche is L.A.’s third baseman of the future.  Then again, they signed Nomar Garciaparra to block James Loney.

Now, there’s certainly still a chance Rolen will bounce back.  He was mashing as recently as August of ’06.  But would the Dodgers bank one of their best prospects on it?  I really don’t think so, which is why Kemp seems highly unlikely.  On the other hand, Betemit and Ethier for Rolen seems fair.  That doesn’t exactly resolve the Cards’ offensive woes, but they’d get a ton of salary relief and some cheap players.

Jays Offered Rios For Myers, Billingsley

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According to Ken Rosenthal’s latest column, the Blue Jays wanted either Brett Myers or Chad Billingsley plus Matt Kemp or Jonathan Broxton in return for right fielder Alex Rios.  Both clubs are known for their current starting pitching surpluses; the Phils actually have the need for an outfielder.

Not too many teams are looking to unload an AL-East-ready starter, so the Jays might have to lower their expectations.  Plenty of teams could make room for Rios as a right or center fielder.

Red Sox Ask For Matt Kemp In David Wells Deal

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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. 

 

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