Perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers got a better idea of who was seriously interested in Matt Kemp at this year's MLB Winter Meetings. The Detroit Tigers look like they're ready to spend to retain a free agent of theirs who rejected a lucrative extension before the 2014 season.
The San Diego Padres have been in talks with the Dodgers about Kemp for weeks now, but now the discussions are getting closer toward a resolution. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the two sides are "working hard" on a deal as they continue to determine who else would be included in the potential trade. It is believed Los Angeles is targeting catcher Yasmani Grandal, but they want other "strong pieces" from San Diego.
Rosenthal originally noted Padres' prospect Matt Wisler would be an option, but a source confirmed he's "not in the mix." The 22-year-old right-hander was promoted to Triple-A El Paso in 2014 after six solid starts at Double-A San Antonio. He went 9-5 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 22 starts at El Paso, but based on his progression through the minors, the Padres likely think his development will continue to go well. Instead, 21-year-old right-hander Joe Ross could be another option. Ross amassed a 10-6 record with a 3.92 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 23 appearances (22 starts) between advanced Class-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio.
San Diego is looking for a power-hitting outfielder while Los Angeles is looking to free up space in the outfield to make room for prospect center fielder Joc Pederson. The Dodgers need some help in the bullpen as well as the back end of the starting rotation.
We've been tracking Kemp and others for a while and haven't paid much attention to one of the best free agents on the market: Max Scherzer. The demand for the right-hander has been quiet throughout the offseason because Jon Lester has stolen the headlines, but an update has surfaced regarding the 2013 AL Cy Young winner.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported Scherzer's incumbent team, the Detroit Tigers, are focused on retaining him and "prepared to spend big, big dollars." Scherzer rejected the team's six-year, $144 million extension prior to the 2014 season in hopes of either making more money or moving on from Detroit. Olney noted the Tigers want to keep David Price, who is arbitration-eligible, for next season too. That might be possible, but Price has not shown any interest in staying with the Tigers long-term, so a one-year deal to avoid arbitration might be what the two sides agree upon this offseason.
Scherzer has compiled a 55-15 record with a 3.24 ERA in 97 starts over the past three seasons, but he'll be a huge financial commitment. The Tigers will also have to deal with Price and Porcello as free agents next offseason, so it'll be interesting to see how they spend their money.
