Matt Kemp, a superstar outfielder for several years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been the subject of trade rumors due to L.A.'s crowded outfield and his unhappiness with being shifted from center field.
Instead of pouting though, Kemp has responded with the bat. In his last 18 games, Kemp has batted .397, and he's homered three times in the last two games. He also hit a game-winning single Wednesday night in extra innings. Happy or not, the first place Dodgers don't have interest in sending away one of their best bats.
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"Nobody's heard me say we're trading Matt Kemp," Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said. "Nobody's heard me say we're shopping Matt Kemp. Nobody's heard me say that. That's all in another world."
Several teams have an obvious need for a hitter of Kemp's caliber, such as the New York Yankees and aforementioned Mariners. There were also rumors involving the Boston Red Sox that centered around a swap with Kemp and Jon Lester being the principle pieces.
Los Angeles was also rumored to be considering putting prospect Joc Pederson in a deal for Lester or David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays, but Colletti shut the door on several of the organization's top prospects being dealt. "At this point in time, we're not in the market to trade any of the three, period," Colletti said of trading Pederson, shortstop Corey Seager or left-handed pitcher Julio Urias.
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"There's been no player that we've discussed that warrants two of the three, three of the three. Otherwise, we'd be having a different meeting right now."
While the Dodgers want to add to their core for the stretch run, Colletti said the current crop of players is plenty good enough to roll with for the rest of the season.
"It's not like our needs are excessive," Colletti said. "We're trying to take it from 'good' to 'great,' perhaps. It's not like we've got many holes to fill and an abundance of different options or matches."
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