BRAVES, DODGERS DO 5-PLAYER DEAL
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir, infielder Charlie Culberson, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and cash.
What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
For the Dodgers this trade is mostly about one thing: freeing up money for next winter. That is when several big-name stars become free agents (including Bryce Harper and Charlie Blackmon) so L.A. wants the financial flexibility to be in the running to sign them. They get that here by shedding the expiring deals of Gonzalez, Kazmir and McCarthy--which helps keep the Dodgers under the MLB luxury tax for 2018. Meanwhile, Kemp is not likely to be a regular for the Dodgers if he is kept around; and there appears to be a good chance the club will flip him to another team before spring training.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
Veteran Gonzalez has already been designated for assignment by Atlanta, so it is clear the Braves are just taking his salary on as part of making this deal happen. That leaves veteran pitchers McCarthy and Kazmir as the key additions for the Braves. Assuming those two aging and injury-prone vets can stay healthy, they could eat up innings and take some pressure off Atlanta's young rotation hopefuls. Culberson is solid utilityman who can provide some veteran experience. The big contracts of Gonzalez, McCarthy and Kazmir come off the books after the coming season, so this is a low-risk deal for Atlanta.
Fantasy impact
This trade has surprisingly little fantasy fallout for either L.A. or Atlanta. The only player who clearly seems to be in line for a jump in playing time may be Braves outfielder Lane Adams, and he is far from a top prospect. It will not be surprising if Atlanta brings in other options for the left field spot vacated by Kemp, while the organization waits for top prospect Ronald Acuna to develop. On the Dodgers side of things, Kemp looks unlikely to find himself starting regularly in an outfield that already features several star-level talents (including Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo and Chris Taylor).
Player focus
Atlanta Braves
cash considerations
