The 30-year old outfielder could be a Padre as soon as Tuesday afternoon.
San Diego is looking to add a bat this offseason, and Matt Kemp could be the squad's target. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Padres and Dodgers are working hard on a deal that would send major-league ready prospects to Los Angeles in exchange for the 30-year old outfielder.
Kemp is one of three veteran outfield options the Dodgers were looking to trade heading into the Winter Meetings, and from the outset, the Padres were reportedly confident they would have a chance. Rosenthal notes that the Padres are expected to put together a package that includes catcher Yasmani Grandal, with names like Joe Ross (via Rosenthal) and Zach Eflin (via Jon Heyman) potentially involved as well.
In 150 games last season, Kemp posted a .287/.346/.506 batting line to complement 25 home runs and 89 RBIs. In any deal, the Dodgers would likely be in a position to pay some of the $107 million Kemp is owed over the next five seasons. Although he struggled to remain healthy in 2012 and 2013, Kemp appeared in all but 12 games last season. Kemp's best major league season was 2011, when he posted a .324/.399/.586 batting line in addition to driving in 126 runs.
Los Angeles is looking to split up an outfield that currently features Andre Ethier, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson. The club also added Chris Heisey last week.
The Dodgers, a larger market team, lost Hanley Ramirez to free agency when he signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Red Sox, and are seeking depth.
Although talks are ongoing, a deal between the two could be done on Tuesday. San Diego has the prospects the Dodgers are looking for, and even if conversations don't progress, the Padres remain the front runner to land Kemp.