BP Trade Rumors

Perrotto's "Every Given Sunday" column is usually full of interesting rumors, and this one has a doozy for Dodgers fans:

The Dodgers are also said to be willing to move center fielder Matt Kemp in the right deal.

I have to imagine that he would be available in a deal only if the player they get back has more than 1/2 a year of control left. Any other deal involving Kemp would be <insert any negative adjecttive>.

This sentence came after stating that LA is interested in shortstops Jack Wilson and Juan Uribe.

Speculating on who LA would get in return for a deal involving Kemp only one name comes to mind-Matt Holliday. He has another year left in his current deal, has more power than Kemp, and hits for a better average.

Frankly, based on recent comments by Colletti, I would not be surprised if LA dealt Kemp:

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti will be looking for a shortstop among other things before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, and the team is willing to adjust its philosophy of keeping their young players off-limits.

"We're more open-minded to who we may have to move," Colletti said.

Asked if he were referring to the young players, Colletti said, "They're not really young kids anymore."

Colletti's comments echoed what owner Frank McCourt told me earlier in the week when asked about the possibility of trading some of the kids. He said the ones they will hold onto are "the ones who are prepared to put in the work, listen to coaches and get better every day." The kids who they would be willing to part with are "the ones that can't do those things."

It can be said that Kemp doesn't listen to coaches as he has had some on field and off field issues this year and last. Another thing is Kemp has not displayed the power many projected of him, does not shorten his swing with two out, and has had issues hitting with RISP. But then again, he is only 23 yrs old. I remember Mike Schmidt hitting .199 in his rookie season, and he turned out ok. I am not saying Kemp is the next Schmidt, just saying players can improve.

Perrotto also mentions the usual rumors of CC Sabathia, Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, Willy Taveras, Brian Fuentes rumors we all have read about this week.