The Los Angeles Dodgers could be preparing to make some room in their crowded outfield by finally moving Matt Kemp.
Dave Stewart, Kemp’s agent, suggested last week that his client could be joining a new team this season when he said Kemp wants to be an every-day center fielder and wouldn’t be opposed to a trade if the Dodgers couldn’t make that happen.
It appears that plan likely will come to fruition as Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Friday “the Dodgers are making calls, and rival executives have the feeling the Dodgers are ready to move on, if possible.”
One person who is ready to move on, reportedly, is Kemp.
“Eight years is a long time to be in one place,” Stewart told Heyman by phone. “Sometimes change is good. This might be the time to change.”
According to Heyman, five teams are interested in acquiring the 29-year-old outfielder’s services, or at the very least have reached out to the Dodgers and explored the idea.
Kemp has struggled to return to his 2011 National League MVP runner-up form. He’s batting .268 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs this season — a far cry from three years ago, when he hit .324 with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs.
Kemp still has $107 million remaining on his contract beyond this season.
