After a failed experiment of Matt Kemp and other big moves during the 2014 offseason to get San Diego to the playoffs, the Padres have continued to trade that team away, as Matt Kemp has been dealt to the Braves in exchange for outfielder/3rd baseman, Hector Olivera. Both players have big bad contracts that both teams were badly wanting to tear up, so that is the logic behind this deal. Obviously the riding of the contracts is the basis of the trade because the value difference between the two players is huge. But, there may be more to this trade for the Braves then some may think.
Other than saving $10 million in payroll, the Braves acquire a veteran outfielder to take over for Francour, who, let’s be honest, is old. Originally the Braves were aiming for 2017 to be championship contenders when their new stadium opened, but it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. However, with the acquisition of Kemp, the Braves now have a solid underrated outfield with Inciarte and Markakis. Then in the infield, Atlanta has Freddie Freeman, Adonis Garcia (who has come into his own), and possibly Dansby Swanson as the starting shortstop next season. With an abundance of great, possibly major league ready, arms to put in the rotation behind Tehran, the Braves could be ready to compete in late 2017, borrowing they make some signings during the offseason. But, all in all, Kemp is a solid bat to put in the middle of that order with Freeman. Kemp has a slugging percentage of .489 this season that includes 23 homers, and has an OPS+ of 107. He may not or ever will be in his 2011 runner up MVP form, but he sure is a guy who could help get the Braves closer to their goal.
The Padres, on the other hand, may have been succeeding in deleting their acquired pre-2015 stars, and Matt Kemp coming off of the books (for the most part) is big, but when trading the big one, more in return was needed. Hector Olivera is a nice player, but he is subject to jail time and also has a big contract. In result, the Padres aren’t saving a whole lot, so obviously they had a one track mind with this move. According to multiple reports, the Padres may designate Olivera for assignment when he becomes play eligible on August 1. However, if Olivera goes to jail, the Padres can escape the $28.5 million obligation to him. Overall though, for what Kemp has been producing for San Diego in terms of performance, A.J. Preller should have gotten back at least something slightly more valuable than Olivera, maybe even just two unranked prospects; not another big contract player. This Matt Kemp deal may turn out to be a steal for the Braves, and an ashamed deal for the Friars.
