DODGERS, PADS COMPLETE KEMP TRADE
The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Matt Kemp, catcher Tim Federowicz and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers for catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitchers Joe Wieland and Zach Eflin.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
The long rumored trade between these two Southern California rivals is finally complete. In Kemp, the Padres are hoping for a revival because he becomes a fairly big focal point of their offense. Since the Padres still boast {P Seth Smith} and {P Carlos Quentin} for left field (though one may move to first base in '15), and since San Diego is also rumored to be on the verge of acquiring {P Wil Myers} from Tampa Bay to play right field, Kemp should become the team's new center-fielder. He's a downgrade defensively from {P Cameron Maybin}, so Kemp needs to hit. Federowicz provides solid backup to new San Diego starting catcher {P Derek Norris}.
What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
For the Dodgers, this move was mostly about freeing up their outfield situation a bit--they were highly motivated to move Kemp--and also to upgrade offensively at the catcher position. Grandal should play most of the time and be backed up by veteran {P A.J. Ellis}, provided Grandal's knees can hold up. Wieland could be a fifth starter candidate when he is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, while Eflin may not be long for Los Angeles (he is rumored to be on his way to Philadelphia in a deal for shortstop {P Jimmy Rollin}. The fact the Dodgers paid San Diego $32 million to make Kemp go away says a lot about their motivation to unload him.
Fantasy impact
If Kemp is healthy, he should rebound in 2015. He also should be plenty motivated to prove to the Dodgers that they made a big mistake in letting him go. Grandal should have better support around him in LA than he did in San Diego, so his value is also rising. Wieland has some sleeper appeal as a potential Dodgers starter (if he finds a way into the rotation), while Eflin should also be on the radar now (though he's less interesting if he lands in Philadelphia, eventually). Federowicz remains a backup catcher with little value.
