Dodgers GM: Matt Kemp Won’t Be Dealt Before Trade Deadline

The Matt Kemp trade rumors have been swirling all year.

Kemp has lost his role as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ center fielder this season, he hasn’t been in the lineup every day, given the preponderance of outfield talent the Dodgers have, and he’s struggled coming back from various injuries.

Still, the Dodgers won’t be moving him after all.

Kemp won’t be traded before the deadline, according to Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.

The 29-year-old went 3-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs in the Dodgers’ 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, hitting a walk-off single in the 10th.

“Nobody’s heard me say we’re trading Matt Kemp,” Colletti said after the game, via ESPN.com. “Nobody’s heard me say we’re shopping Matt Kemp. Nobody’s heard me say that. That’s all in another world.”

Kemp’s agent, Dave Stewart, expressed Friday that the outfielder wouldn’t be opposed to a trade, saying that “this might be the time to change.”

Kemp is hitting .397 in his last 18 games and now has 11 homers and 46 RBIs so far this season. He’s raised his batting average to .288 during his hot streak, and his OBP sits at .353.