Los Angeles Dodgers has acquired Atlanta Braves' #27 outfielder Matt Kemp.
Los Angeles Dodgers brought back outfielder Kemp in a cunning 4-for-1 trade with the Atlanta Braves. According to Yahoo Sports, Ken Rosenthal of "The Athletic" first reported that the Dodgers traded first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, left-hander Scott Kazmir, right-hander Brandon McCarthy, and infielder Charlie Culberson for the #27 outfielder. The Braves also reportedly received a whopping $4.5 million in cash aside from the four players.
The trade has made Cody Bellinger as Los Angeles Dodgers' first baseman. Meanwhile, the team has opened three spots on their 40-man roster. The trade was also good news for the 19-year-old outfielder Ronald Acuna. Acuna was named the number one prospect during the Arizona Fall League, and he is likely ready to prove himself in 2018.
Kemp was with the Dodgers in 2014 and was still on the team's payroll even before the trade happened because of the $160 million deal he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2013 season began. After Kemp was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2014, Dodgers covered $3.5 million of his salary per season until 2016. The Padres also added $2.5 million per season as what was agreed with the Atlanta Braves in 2016.
With Kemp gone, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Atlanta Braves have improved their defense. The trade has also graced the Braves with veteran starter Brandon McCarthy, as well as Scott Kazmir, once he recovers from his hip injury. With the 4-for-1 trade, Bill Shaikin of Los Angeles Times agrees that the 2018 offseason will be filled with action.
The move by Los Angeles Dodgers to bring back Kemp to the team was reportedly an attempt to save money on luxury taxes. To achieve this, Dodgers' have been reducing Gonzalez, Kazmir, and McCarthy's salaries for quite some time as part of their offseason goals.
