Could the Braves find a trade partner in the Dodgers?

by gondeee on Dec 8, 2008 2:21 PM EST in Trade News Comment 26 comments

Allow me to be the first to start this rumor... okay, really, I'm just speculating, but that's close enough to rumor that some people will take it as such. Ken Rosenthal has a note in his twitter-like feed of rumors from the Winter Meetings that the Dodgers are interested in Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. That got me a-thinkin' about the Braves possibly matching up well with the Dodgers in the we-need-an-outfielder-they-need-a-second-baseman department.

Rosenthal mentions that the Yankees would likely ask for Matt Kemp in return for Cano. Kemp would be a perfect fit for our left-field vacancy. In fact, he can also play center field and has plus speed (to go along with good power). The question is whether the Dodgers would be interested in Kelly Johnson. Kelly's a gap hitter and seems like he would be well suited for a pitchers park like Dodger Stadium.

Seems to me like there should be some mutual interest here, we'll see if anything develops.

(Really, it's a slow Braves news day, so I figured I'd create some of my own.)

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Who is going with Johnson to the Dodgers for Kemp.

by jack dein on Dec 8, 2008 2:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

why would anyone need to go with kj… if the Yankees can send cano why cant we send kj… they are very similar players cano is more expensive by a lot.

Cano’s contract 09:$6M, 10:$9M, 11:$10M, 12:$14M club option ($2M buyout), 13:$15M club option ($2M buyout)

the Dodgers could easily sign KJ to a similar length contract for considerably less, if they so choose, or just stay with his current contract status, under team control.

i dont necessarily think Cano>KJ.. and if we really wanted to finish the deal we can throw in a filler like B JOnes… although i dont think that would be necessary

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 8, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hu is already on the Dodgers OH SNAP

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 8, 2008 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Even I got a chuckle out of that one! Very nice.

by scstrato on Dec 8, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for making stuff up for our benefit, it keeps me goin’ on these slow days. But I think I’d rather just sign Casey Blake, he has more power and doesn’t cost KJ. He could play Left and we could probably get him at about 6 mil a year for three years. Then after a season or two, we can move our young guys up, and Blake could take any number of spots, like Chipper’s.

by someguy917 on Dec 8, 2008 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just because the Yankess ask for Kemp doesn’t mean the Dodgers are going to do a straight swap 1-1. The Dodgers tend to value young players, and Kemp has a very bright future. While I do value KJ quite a bit, I am certain the Dodgers would ask for more. I think a package of KJ and Kala Ka’aihue could be a good match. I just don’t think KJ straight up is even enough.

by smscardinals1 on Dec 8, 2008 2:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

Kelly Johnson put up an OPS of .795 in 2008. Coming from a position in which offense comes at a premium, that seems a lot more valuable than Matt Kemp and his .799 OPS in 2008 coming from a corner outfield position (which is where the Braves would put him.) Also, Kemp only hit 18 homeruns, which is really the big power bat the Braves need for their power-zapped outfield.

Also, who replaces Johnson? Martin Prado? Prado is not really a viable everyday player.

by BravesFan220 on Dec 8, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"which is really the big power...."

ISN’T really the big…..

18 homeruns in 606 at-bats for a left fielder just isn’t that special.

by BravesFan220 on Dec 8, 2008 3:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I hate to break it to you

In over 2,000 ABs between seven outfielders, the Braves only hit 27 home runs.

Out of that, in the 1,347 combined ABs from Francoeur, Blanco and Kotsay, they hit the same amount of home runs that Matt Kemp did – 18. It may not seem that special to you, but from an outfield that is worse, it’s a good start at improvement.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 8, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Gosh! Do I gotta play for the Braves?!?!"

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 8, 2008 3:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

exactly the type of player we need to be looking at. kemp is a similar to heyward in his athletic ability relative to his size and strength. huge power potential, much greater than kelly. add a prospect going to the dodgers and see what happens. young players with kemp’s potential are what the braves need to contend for championships in the future

by jeg on Dec 8, 2008 3:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

But it ain’t like the Dodgers don’t need him.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 8, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed. i think they blink first but lets give them that opportunity

by jeg on Dec 8, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have to admit when I saw this post I got a little excited, then I looked at their numbers and see that Kemp doesn’t look all that much better than Kelley at the plate. So to make this trade from the Braves end you have to expect Kemp’s power to explode outside of Dodger Stadium and Martin Prado to have a huge year as your everyday second baseman. Kemp is young enough to have some 30 homer years ahead, but I just can’t see Prado hitting good enough to be the everyday second basemen.

by JFP on Dec 8, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Poor KJ...

apparently nobody thinks he’s anything but bait.

by BraveBronco0121 on Dec 8, 2008 3:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hes more than bait but his ceiling isnt as high as kemp’s and atl needs high ceiling talent

by jeg on Dec 8, 2008 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A streaky bat at that ...

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 8, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe Kelly Johnson could put up Chase Utley type numbers within the next 2-3 seasons…

by bwellnjonesco on Dec 8, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think that is completely ludicrous. Utley’s numbers are some in the best in the league. He’s a perennial MVP candidate. I really like KJ as a player but he’s no where near as talented as Utley so to say that is completely inaccurate.

by smscardinals1 on Dec 8, 2008 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i love matt kemp, but he profiles as more of a leadoff or six hole guy than a middle of the order power threat, which is what we really need.

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 8, 2008 4:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agree with Joe

I basically just said the same thing on the Hart, Ankiel, Hermida trade rumor. We need a 35+ HR guy to stick between chipper and McCann. Kemp is a great player but he’s not what were looking for. Were looking for Andruw Jones minus five years. Doesn’t have to be a gold glove guy but that type of power at least.

by Charmin519 on Dec 8, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For his major league career he has slugged .474 playing the majority of his games in a notorious pitchers park in his age 21-23 seasons. for comparison, he outslugged heyward at the same level in his first full year of pro ball, albeit at a full year older but he was none the less young for the league as a 19 year old in 2004. well built at 6’2" 230, kemp has serious power potential that he has only moderately begun to tap into as well as above average speed. good defensive outfielder in a corner, marginal in center. profiles as run producing corner outfielder in the near future. .300/.370/.550 and 20+ steal outfielders with plus defense are > .300/.380/.450 secondbasemen with average to below average defense

by jeg on Dec 8, 2008 10:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly

I thought about it. I don’t think there is a power hitting® outfielder available this year. So maybe Kemp or Hart wouldn’t be horrible. It just doesn’t address our needs. This is the only trade options even worth looking at.

Soriano-Not going to happen
Grady Sizemore-Lefty but shit he is FUCKING GOOD
Ryan Braun- He was what Jeff F. is suppose to be. Won’t trade him
Maggs- Bad HR stats last year but proven. Expensive
B.J. Upton- cause I believe
Jason Bay-damn
Xavier Nady-damn
Ludwick- man if he didn’t cost KJ
Corey Hart- For all the reasons stated in the other fan post
Jose Guillen- Maybe
Mike Cameron- Shit the other Brew OF are better and less expensive but brings speed, bat, average, and expeirence.
Kemp- For all the reasons stated above.
Ankiel- I don’t know why but he fits here
Delmon Young- cause I believe
Alex Rios- He’s got it and I believe he’s a BAMA boy.
Cody Ross? I like him and he’s cheap and I think he’s better than Hermida

Anyways there’s options on the free agent market but we should wait till we get a 2 year type guy for more money.

by Charmin519 on Dec 8, 2008 7:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs