Just one season after picking him up via trade, the San Diego Padres are reportedly trying to get out of Matt Kemp’s contract.
Baseball Essential’s Robert Murray cited league sources saying that the Padres have tried to move the outfielder.
#Padres have tried to trade Matt Kemp, per league sources.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayBBE) February 12, 2016
Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, however, reported that talks surrounding Kemp have quieted in recent weeks and the team would prefer to keep him this close to spring training.
Considering the Padres owe a 31-year-old Kemp $73 million over the next four years, it makes sense that they would try to find a taker. He didn’t exactly light the world on fire in 2015 – it was his first 100 RBI season in four years, but his .755 OPS was a career worst for a full season. Kemp also has significant health issues, so it seems like it would be difficult for the Padres to move him without eating a significant amount of money.
