Report: Red Sox Inquire About Dodgers' Matt Kemp
BOSTON (CBS) - The Red Sox sent a trio of stars (and Nick Punto) to the Dodgers two summers ago, but this winter they've made inquiries to bring one back East.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox are one of several teams to inquire about Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.
With Jacoby Ellsbury a free agent, Kemp is one of several replacements the Red Sox have looked into this winter. The 29-year-old Kemp will make roughly $130 million over the next six years, and is coming off an injury-plagued season that kept him out of all but 73 games in 2013.
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Kemp puts up good numbers when he's on the field, averaging 26 home runs and 94 RBIs over 162 games. He led the NL with 39 homers and 126 RBIs in 2011, and is a career .293 hitter.
The Dodgers have a plethora of outfielders with Kemp, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford and Yusiel Puig, but have not been shopping Kemp, according to Cafardo's source. But that hasn't kept other teams from inquiring, as L.A. was reportedly in trade talks with the Blue Jays and Mariners.
Boston has plenty of prospects that could pry Kemp form the Dodgers, but his hefty price tag and a lengthy contract could keep them away -- though it's believed the Dodgers would pay a portion of the money still owed to him if he's dealt.
The Red Sox have reportedly shown interest in outfielder Carlos Beltran as well, another backup plan if Ellsbury leaves in free agency.
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