With the Dodgers set to compete for the NL Pennant this week, Kemp finds himself a member of the walking wounded yet again. Out of the post season due to an ankle injury, Kemp has already had shoulder surgery since his season ended. Despite what will be his second surgery on the injured wing, he is expected the be ready for spring training next season. However, 2013 was the second consecutive season in which Kemp missed major time due to injury, appearing in just 73 games.
Injury concern aside for the moment, the 28 year old Kemp is scheduled to make $21.5 million each season through the 2019 season and will take quite a haul (talent wise) to acquire from the Dodgers. He would instantly become the highest paid player on the Mets and consume nearly half of the teams potential budget this offseason. That's not a play I would expect Sandy Alderson to make in a million years.
Sometimes fans need to take their blinders off when it comes to players like Kemp. Yes, he is an excellent offensive talent with 30 home run and 100-plus RBI potential, but the injuries have come at an alarming rate in reach years. Two separate trips to the disabled list in 2012 for hamstring injuries, along with four more in 2013 for an ankle ailment. Scary stuff if your considering making him part of your outfield plans for the foreseeable future.
I don't need a comment from the team, or a report from an outside media source. The Mets need to gamble somewhere this winter, but Matt Kemp is not the type of gamble they need. He is not worth the commitment in talent the organization would have to send to Los Angeles to get him, or the financial liability he represents long term. Simply put, there is no way the Mets will be in on Matt Kemp.
Where ate you going to find 30/100 type outfielders? The injuries give the Mets an opportunity to acquire a guy like Kemp. Gamble? Yes but a calculated one.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is that when he gets injured, he doesn't heal. His trips to the DL in 2012 were all for his left hamstring. 2013 were for his ankle. Your talking about allocating $129 million dollars (and god knows what talent in a trade) towards a guy who has barely played half the games over the past two seasons. His ability to heal won't increase as he gets older, it'll get worse.
DeleteI absolutely agree that the Mets need one (if not two) 30/100 guys in the OF, but there have to be better options.
I'd go after the healthier and much cheaper Ryan Braun.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a tremendous fan of Braun based upon character flaws alone, but if he is available, I'd agree with him over Kemp.
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