The Oakland Athletics are currently shopping Brandon Moss just a week after sending third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays. Outfielder Matt Kemp has also been the subject of much trade talks this offseason and the Los Angeles Dodgers look like they could send him packing soon.
On Wednesday night it was reported A's general manager Bill Beane was in discussions with the Indians about sending Moss to Cleveland. Later in the evening it was said a number of other teams were contacting Oakland about the first baseman/outfielder, but it was unclear who. The Miami Marlins added Moss to their possible trade targets recently because of their need at first base, so it's possible they're involved.
However, it now looks like the Indians have emerged as the front-runners for Moss, with Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer noting a deal between the two sides could be executed as early as Friday. At first it was unknown what the A's would want in return for Moss, but Hoynes writes the Indians could send second base prospect Joey Wendle to Oakland. Wendle, who is one of many players discussed in the potential deal, slashed .253/.311/.414 with 46 runs scored, eight home runs and 50 RBIs in 87 games at Double-A Akron before breaking a bone in his right hand. The 24-year-old would eventually help fill the middle infield void in Oakland. The Indians have much middle infield depth, so trading Wendle wouldn't be a big loss.
Also on the West Coast, the Dodgers are still shopping Matt Kemp after talking with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. The talks with the Orioles were said to be preliminary, but those with Seattle and San Diego have legs. After the Mariners traded outfielder Michael Saunders to the Toronto Blue Jays for starter J.A. Happ, it was believed their pursuit of Kemp would heat up. The Dodgers are looking for a starting pitcher in a package deal, so when the M's added a starter to provide depth to their rotation and freed up a spot in the outfield, signs pointed to a greater likelihood of them acquiring Kemp.
But the Padres are still talking with Los Angeles about the 30-year-old outfielder, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Aside from a need in the starting rotation, the Dodgers are looking for a catcher and the Padres are said to be "aggressively marketing" 26-year-old Yasmani Grandal, who is solid defensively and slashed .225/.327/.401 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 128 games last year. He would likely be included in a package with perhaps a relief pitcher, something the Dodgers also need.
Los Angeles and their newly constructed front office have already executed a number of trades this offseason, but it won't be easy for them to get rid of their expensive outfielders, with Kemp being one of them. The two-time All-Star is owed $107 million over the next five seasons.
