SAN DIEGO -- If you thought the Dodgers were busy on Wednesday, ju st wait until you see what they do on Thursday. The team is reportedly "on the verge" of trading outfielder Matt Kemp to the Padres, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, though Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports quoted a source saying the long-rumored trade is "closer, but not done."
Heyman expands:
The Dodgers asked for catcher Yasmani Grandal plus young pitchers Joe Ross and Zach Eflin in trade talks that stretched for weeks. Grandal was believed to be the centerpiece of the package, though it isn't known what the final package was. It isn't known how much, if any, money is involved in the trade.
This is not much different than has been rumored before, though that the rumor simply hasn't gone away lends credence that it might actually come to fruition.
Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a three-team trade involving the Dodgers and Padres had been discussed (which, coupled with the lack of an announcement of the Jimmy Rollins trade fuels speculation of a trade for Cole Hamels as well - using prospects acquired from the Marlins and Padres, plus someone like Zach Lee, for instance - though that's another story for another day, or another few hours).
Padres brass was quite open in discussing with media their talks with the Dodgers:
"I think it’s no secret that the Dodgers have been talking about their outfielders," Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said early Wednesday night. "We’ve examined all possibilities."
"I wish I could add some clarity," said Padres manager Bud Black, who met with the media Wednesday. "With this particular situation and this particular player, it’s been widely reported, but unless you’re A.J. and (Dodgers president of baseball operations) Andrew (Friedman), the truth and the real conversations are between those guys."'
The Dodgers were easily the most active team at the winter meetings on Wednesday. From the sounds of things, they might be the most active on Thursday as well.