(SportsNetwork.com) – The San Diego Padres are considering whether or not to
finalize or void their agreed-upon trade for Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Matt
Kemp due to results over the outfielder’s physical, according to a report from
USA Today.
Sources told USA Today that Kemp’s physical revealed arthritis in both of his
hips, with the Padres still trying to determine whether the condition will
impact the remainder of the 30-year-old’s playing career.
The Padres and Dodgers had set a deadline for Thursday to complete the deal,
in which Los Angeles would send Kemp and backup catcher Tim Federowicz to San
Diego in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal, pitcher Joe Wieland and minor
league hurler Zach Elfin.
Los Angeles is also believed to be sending the Padres $32 million towards the
remaining $107 million Kemp is owed on his contract, which runs through 2019.
The snag also impacts the Dodgers’ pending trade with Philadelphia involving
Jimmy Rollins, as Elfin was to be sent to the Phillies for the veteran
shortstop.
Kemp has been hampered by hamstring issues in two of the last three seasons,
missing 51 games in 2012 and 73 in 2013. The 2011 National League MVP runner-
up did play in 150 games this past season, batting .287 with 25 home runs and
89 RBI.
Padres first-year general manager A.J. Preller has been aggressive this
offseason in trying to improve an offense that was the worst in the majors in
2014. In addition to the potential Kemp trade, Preller reportedly has swung a
deal to acquire 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Myers from Tampa
Bay as part of a three-team swap that also involves the Washington Nationals.
