Paul Daugherty says Reds have talked about Kemp

[NeilHamburger]

From his morning column:

"Full judgment shouldnt be rendered until Opening Day. Unwise to assume he doesnt have a hat, and a rabbit. Offseason body language not good. Nice little moves that don’t scare anybody. Is Walt on the hot seat? Should he be?

I’ve heard the name Matt Kemp in passing. FWIW."


http://cincinnati.com/blogs/daughert...ng-line-115-4/


He does have sources inside the Reds. He was the first to report on Phillips. Who knows what the discussions were, but it's interesting that they have at least talked about Kemp considering how much money he is due.

[RedTeamGo!]

Didn't he also say Brandon Phillips was "as good as traded?"

[NeilHamburger]

He may have, I'm not sure. But, I do believe the Reds were actively looking to move Phillips. Things just didn't materialize. I think if Phillips didn't have the Yankees on his no trade list he'd already be in pinstripes.

[Benihana]

Kemp is a guy I've been singing about since October. He would make a very interesting, if not great, target IMO. Much better than the status quo, at least we'd be daring to be great.

[bigredmechanism]

Kemp is a guy I've been singing about since October. He would make a very interesting, if not great, target IMO. Much better than the status quo, at least we'd be daring to be great.

I just don't see how we could pay almost half of our payroll to 2 guys, 1 of whom has been injury plagued, and expect to compete long term.

[CySeymour]

I just don't see how we could pay almost half of our payroll to 2 guys, 1 of whom has been injury plagued, and expect to compete long term.

I am thinking the same thing. He's signed through 2019, so unless the Dodgers pick up quite a bit of his contract, I just don't see how Cincy could swing it.

[757690]

I imagine if one hung around the Reds front office this offseason, one would hear quite a few names being discussed. A smart team discusses every possible option to make the team better. I would hope Kemp's name was discussed.

[Benihana]

I am thinking the same thing. He's signed through 2019, so unless the Dodgers pick up quite a bit of his contract, I just don't see how Cincy could swing it.

Of course the Dodgers would have to take on a huge amount of Kemp's contract- at least half- in order for anything to get done. Plus I'd imGine the trade would involve some kind of combo of Phillips, Ludwick, Broxton, Bailey or Chapman- of course not all of them by any stretch, but the Reds would be sending back some high priced names.

I've always said Phillips and Broxton would make a lot of sense if LA would pay half of the difference in money.

[corkedbat]

I imagine if one hung ariund the Reds front office this offseason, one would hear quite a few names being discussed. A smart team discusses every possible option to make the team better. I would hope Kemp's name was discussed.

I he were healthy and all things were equal, Kemp would be among a half dozen position names that would spring to mind if I could pick any one opposing player to insert into the Reds lineup.

Things (salary) aren't all equal though and his health has to be a major concern. IF it were to happen, the Dodgers would need to pay at least a quarter of what is owed him and I would expect Phillips to be included and possibly Bailey or Chapman. If Walt is smart, he would also insist that both Ludwick and Broxton's contracts be assumed as well. I'd think a B prospect or two or surplus vet would head the Reds way too.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I just don't see how we could pay almost half of our payroll to 2 guys, 1 of whom has been injury plagued, and expect to compete long term.

I agree...but then again the LA pocketbooks are reported to be VERY deep...I'd expect them to pony up quite a few bucks to offset any Kemp deal.

[jhu1321]

This offseason has been miserable. Someone knock me out until April.

[Tom Servo]

So Matt Kemp is going to be our next GM?

[bigredmechanism]

So Matt Kemp is going to be our next GM?

Shawn Kemp, actually. We couldn't afford Matt after all.

[WrongVerb]

Wonder if they could do a Kemp deal where the Dodgers pay him while he's on the DL and the Reds pay his salary while he's on the active roster. (or maybe the Dodgers reimburse the Reds a pro-rated amount at the end of every year or something?)

[RedsManRick]

I imagine if one hung around the Reds front office this offseason, one would hear quite a few names being discussed. A smart team discusses every possible option to make the team better. I would hope Kemp's name was discussed.

Exactly. I imagine you work in an office with dozens of people whose primary job is to make the Reds better. Don't you think you'd pretty have discussed every player in the league at some point? Obviously Fay wouldn't say anything it were just "That Matt Kemp guy is pretty good", but this seems like an easy way to fill a slow news day more than anything else.