It's been a quiet month in Redsland, but things just got interesting. According to an unnamed source, the Dodgers are not only listening on their ace Clayton Kershaw, but are close to a deal that would send him to Cincinnati.
As is well known, the Dodgers' ownership situation is in flux. Outgoing owner Frank McCourt has instructed GM Ned Coletti to curtail spending in an attempt to make the team's payroll situation more attractive to prospective buyers. Kershaw is arbitration-eligible for the first time this off-season and MLBTradeRumors projects a salary north of $8 mil. Considering that Kershaw is a favorite to win the Cy Young this year, he would easily be the most attractive pitcher on the market if they decided to make him available.
It looks like he is being made available, and it looks like the Reds are keen to capitalize. The source, who claims to have information from someone in the Reds organization, says the package of players that might be headed to LA includes Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Edinson Volquez, and Homer Bailey. The Dodgers are reportedly very keen on Alonso and want him to replace James Loney at 1B, whom they intend to non-tender. Volquez and Bailey are included to free up $5 mil or so to fit Kershaw into the Reds' budget.
The deal isn't finalized yet though, as Coletti is awaiting approval from McCourt, who is reportedly busy hosting monkey knife fights on his yacht.
More on this as it develops.
