The Red Sox are in need of outfield help and their playoff hopes are diminishing as they remain 10.5 games back in last place of the AL East and 7.5 games out of the wild card race. Boston's ace Jon Lester has been the subject of trade talks, but will the Red Sox trade him for troubled outfielder Matt Kemp?
Following a remarkable 2011 season, Matt Kemp inked an eight-year, $160 million contract extension, which became the largest deal in National League history. That year, Kemp played 161 games and recorded career-highs in at-bats (689), runs (115), home runs (39), RBIs (126), stolen bases (40), and walks (74). In the two and a half seasons since he signed the contract, Kemp has played in only 274 games totaling 37 home runs, 142 RBIs, and a .283 average. He has undergone shoulder and ankle surgeries in the past two seasons, deeming his health a major concern.
However, the Red Sox might be interested in his services based on his previous performance, and the Dodgers are in need of one more pitcher to solidify their rotation after booting Dan Haren out of the fifth spot. Boston can offer them Jon Lester, who rejected the team's four-year, $70 million-plus extension last week. Although nothing is certain, such a trade seems plausible as the Dodgers are in their third year of dealing with an ailing Kemp and would much rather call up top-prospect Joc Pederson who is dominating in Triple-A. The team's best-case scenario would be to rid Kemp's salary and utilize Pederson's young talent. Additionally, the Red Sox will need the ultimate rally to rise up in the ranks of playoff contenders, but that doesn't look hopeful, so they might as well get value for Lester rather than watch him leave via free agency after this season.
Lester is currently 10-7 with a 2.52 ERA, but the Red Sox are struggling with a 48-57 record just one year after winning the World Series. If they acquire Kemp, it's likely the Dodgers will cover a considerable amount of his contract especially if they're receiving a perennial pitcher in Lester (and are able to sign him for the long-term). But there are no guarantees, and all we know at this point is that Kemp is still owed $118 million, the Dodgers have too many outfielders and need a pitcher, and the Red Sox are considering moving Lester after contract negotiations were tabled last week.
You can read more about Kemp's potential trade to Boston in this ESPN blog article.
