4:09pm: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times has more comments from Stewart, who expects Kemp to be signed by the Tuesday salary figure exchange date. Meanwhile, Dodgers president Dennis Mannion told Hernandez Ned Colletti is not being limited to two years for Kemp.
11:43am: Back on December 31st, we learned from MLB.com's Ken Gurnick that the Dodgers opened multiyear contract discussions with center fielder Matt Kemp. Kemp's agent, Dave Stewart, said that if he and the Dodgers couldn't find common ground he was comfortable going year to year.
Interviewed on XM MLB Home Plate radio last night, Stewart told host Jim Bowden that he and the Dodgers are close to a two-year deal for Kemp (via Bowden's Twitter account). Stewart indicated he believes the Dodgers' ownership situation limited the number of years they could offer. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick has direct quotes from Stewart.
Nick Markakis and Carlos Beltran are two decent comparables for Kemp, in terms of where their simple career numbers were after three years service time. On a six-year deal, Markakis will be paid $9.75MM for his first two arbitration years. Beltran went year to year in 2002-03 and made $9.5MM. I would guess Kemp would be in the $10MM range for 2010-11.
its a shame a team like the Dodgers are going to have problems like this because of a divorce
its a shame that jim bowden has a job
Budget certainty for LA for the next couple years is the only purpose for this move, right? I can’t see how this would benefit Kemp unless the monetary sum is nice and high for those two years.
I’m not sure how Ryan Howard was $10m in year 1 while Kemp can expect around $10m for years 1 and 2. Seems a little light. I would think something like $6m in year 1 and $8m in year 2 would be more appropriate.
Howard was a Super-two, Kemp is not. It’s a huge difference really, and one that is really going to pay off for a guy like Tim Lincecum, while a guy like Mark Reynolds (three days short of S2 status) is losing millions. Not sure why the Dodgers don’t buy out at least a year or two of free agency, but we probably have the McCourts to blame there.
Agreed. I’d like to see at least a 4 year deal with Kemp. He is arguably the most promising of all the Dodgers youth aside from Kershaw (who should also get long term deal in 2011 or 2012, depending on his performance this season).
Howard had 129 HR and 353 RBIs after ’07…those are the types of numbers arb panels would look at. Kemp’s numbers are not similar at all.
Therein lies the problem with arb panels
No, the real problem with Arbitration panels comes in their paying players upwards of double what they would be making on the open market at this point. Borderline starters are on tap for 5+ MM quite often while comparables are struggling to make 1-2 in free-agency. The superficial stats they reward are only secondary to that disastrous issue. Overall, the entire process is getting to the point where it does the exact opposite of its intention.
Never said they were similar. All in all, if I’m building a team, I’d rather have Kemp than Howard, but that doesn’t mean an arbitration panel would value the two similarly. They would not.
I understand that arb panels will look more favorably upon Howard than they would Kemp. I just think the valuation is a little low for Kemp.
Kemp certainly doesn’t have the power or OBP of Howard. However, he plays one of the most difficult defensive positions well, has solid speed, and has managed to post an extremely respectable OPS. One can argue that Kemp is a top 5 CF’er pretty easily. For those reasons I think a valuation of $6m this year alone is extremely likely. That’s a full 40% of Howard’s award.
I don’t see how Howard would even come into play…to a panel that does not know baseball well they have nothing in common. This panel probably doesn’t get OPS or any useful defensive stat.
I don’t see how Howard would even come into play…to a panel that does not know baseball well they have nothing in common. This panel probably doesn’t get OPS or any useful defensive stat.
I understand that arb panels will look more favorably upon Howard than they would Kemp. I just think the valuation is a little low for Kemp.
Kemp certainly doesn’t have the power or OBP of Howard. However, he plays one of the most difficult defensive positions well, has solid speed, and has managed to post an extremely respectable OPS. One can argue that Kemp is a top 5 CF’er pretty easily. For those reasons I think a valuation of $6m this year alone is extremely likely. That’s a full 40% of Howard’s award.
How does being a Super 2 effect your arbitration award? Being a Super 2 simply means that you qualify for 4 years of arbitration instead of 3. It should NOT have any impact on what a player earns in each of those years.
Instead Kemp should be compared to what other first year arb players have earned, regardless of whether they are Super 2 or not.
At least that is my understanding.
It can affect it quite a bit. Players not eligible for arbitration can be paid whatever the team wants to pay them. If they are eligible for arbitration, that payment can increase exponentially. Years 4, 5, and 6 would be higher as well than they would have been had the player not been a Super Two.
all i know is this guy is goin to be a great player! I see an upgraded player from torii hunter who right now is one of the best all around players in all of baseball. if the dodgers sign him to a two or three year deal would he become an UFA when its up? If so this contract would be a mistake for the dodgers.
They better make Kemp happy this time around. His next contract is going to be BIG. He will have plenty of suitors.
Dodgers have a ton of arbitration eligible players: Martin, Ethier, Sherrill, Broxton, Billingsly Kemp, Loney & Kuo…how much in raises do they have in their 2010 budget?
Team has budgeted around $20 million for the raises, though I’m sure they’d love to trade Sherrill and avoid paying him $4 million or so.
wow…they are also on the hook for about $10M for Pierre and Andruw Jones…doesn’t leave much $$ for free agents
Hence Jamey Carroll and probably a guy like Vicente Padilla.
I think after two if they don’t offer a really good contract, lets be prepare for Kemp to be traded unless he really loves the dodgers he will be somewere else.
Dodgers have Kemp under control through 2012. Even if they just sign him to a one-year deal, he’s not going anywhere.
I really do hope he stays with the Dodgers for a long time, I really like Kemp and he is one of the best center fielders ou there.
I really do hope he stays with the Dodgers for a long time, I really like Kemp and he is one of the best center fielders ou there.
Man it must be good to be Kemp or Lincecum…knowing you’re about to get PAID!!
It’s good to be Kemp. Just as Rhianna!
This news really doesn’t excite me at all. I mean we could save some money through arb, but he will still have his last year of arb to go to arb and then he will be a FA after that year, which would kill me. They need to get a long term deal done regardless of the money situation right now. Kemp, Kershaw, Ethier, and Billingsley are what this team should be built around for the next 4 years at the least. I really, REALLY hope McCourt will not screw this team up so bad that this will not be possible 🙁
This news really doesn’t excite me at all. I mean we could save some money through arb, but he will still have his last year of arb to go to arb and then he will be a FA after that year, which would kill me. They need to get a long term deal done regardless of the money situation right now. Kemp, Kershaw, Ethier, and Billingsley are what this team should be built around for the next 4 years at the least. I really, REALLY hope McCourt will not screw this team up so bad that this will not be possible 🙁
Dodgers have been my second favorite team. Sad to see a divorce do this like mike_sox said.
Dodgers have been my second favorite team. Sad to see a divorce do this like mike_sox said.
this would be smart by the dodgers to sign him long term. i hate seeing this guy in a dodger uni. possibly the best CF’er in the NL. and i agree with the 14mm over 2 yrs. 6 this year and 8 next year. unless this guy gets hurt he’s only going to put up better numbers.
this would be smart by the dodgers to sign him long term. i hate seeing this guy in a dodger uni. possibly the best CF’er in the NL. and i agree with the 14mm over 2 yrs. 6 this year and 8 next year. unless this guy gets hurt he’s only going to put up better numbers.
The Dodgders should’ve locked him up for way longer
i agree with you. this is a guy that needs to be locked up for a long time. but the way this divorce is going, he is going to be either traded or given a short term contract and will be gone via free agency.
The way the Divorce is going neither one of the McCourts will have the team
I hope they low ball him leading him to sign outside the NL West 🙂
The Dodgders should’ve locked him up for way longer
This guy should be locked up long term. However he is more likely the centerfielder in training for the New York Yankees. Maybe the best player out of the dodger farm since Piazza. Such a shame that a once great franchise like the Dodgers being destroyed by Ownership.
Dude, I am a Yankee fan and Dodger fan, and that’s just a dumb statement.
Why is that a dumb statement, the dodgers are most likely not going to be able to pay fair market value for Kemp when he becomes a free agent. The McCourts are broke. They fired half of there minor league scouts and will not sign there first round draft picks. The most likely suitor , the team who can afford the elite players in the game is the yankees. By the time Kemp is a free agent he will probably be the elite centerfielder in baseball.Sorry Junior it is a business nothing more.
The McCourts will not own the Dodgers in 2012.
The McCourts will hold on to the dodgers until they suck every asset out of the team.The Broadcast rights are still owned by fox, and I think they hold the note.If guys like Eithier or Kemp are given big enough awards in arbitration you might see those guys unloaded for prospects.This is all speculation of course but any person who has ever been through a contested divorce has an understanding how ugly these things can become. If a potential new owner is looking at the Dodgers strictly as a business investment nothing will show a better bottom line then minimal expenses. That is Exactly what the Padre ownership did. If Adrian Gonzalezs did not sign away his arbitration years so cheaply and the padres had to pay him 10 to 12 million a year in arbitration he also would probably be gone.There are very few owners in sports like a Jerry Buss, or the Steinbrenners that are willing to pay a league tax for going over a salary cap. Fox traded Mike Piazza behind the Fred Claires back. The dodgers will still draw 3 million plus a year if they brought up there whole triple a team.
Mark – I don’t really understand where you’re coming from. You have no idea what is going to happen to Kemp and Ethier, particularly since they are both under team control through 2012. The organization has budgeted plenty of money to handle the raises due Broxton, Kemp, Ethier, etc. and all will be Dodgers next year.
Don’t get me wrong, as a fan I’m saddened by what has transpired since the O’Malley family sold the team, and this offseason has been disappointing. That said, as you mention, this team draws 3+ million a year and no, they wouldn’t do that with a Triple-A team. I certainly wouldn’t go to the games.
We just have to hope Frank wins the court battle and either sells the team or brings in a partner with deep(er) pockets. In the meantime, we still get to watch a great core of players develop together.
I said it was speculation, but the it is a strong possability if eithier or kemp keep improving and they get a 10 to 15 million dollar award
in arbitration, and if The McCourts have to sell the team. And for most people going to Dodger stadium is a destination, there are a core of hard core fans but most people will go regardless. They had very good attendence when they won only 70 plus games.
that attendence was there BECAUSE that was the young guys getting their first MLB look. All the fans wanted to see them and realized that we had to sacrifice one season for multiple great ones.
To expect Kemp or Ethier to be traded just because is quite dumb
I was talking about the tommy lasorda teams with players like Greg Brock, and Mark Belanger Etc. Etc.I never heard of anyone who goes to a game to see future greats that does not make sense. I do remember sitting by the Dodger bullpen once and hearing a ball slam into a mitt. I looked down it was Bob Welsh. He was getting ready for his major league debut. He had a great career with the Dodgers and Oakland.And as a Rookie had a battle in the World Series with Reggie Jackson finally striking him out. Regretfully Jackson took him deep in the famous world series game when he hit three home runs. The only other player who looked to me like they had greatness was when I saw Ken Griffey jr. playing with the san bernardino spirits. He was there for one year. He looked like a man against boys.
I was talking more about 2007. Many people, including myself, went out to LA to see guys like Ethier, Billingsley, Martin, Kemp and Loney get MLB time, even though we knew that we probably wouldnt compete for a title after Wolf and Schmidt went down with injuries…
661 said exactly what I was going to say. The McCourts may not see the end of the season as the owners. They are already getting sucked dry by the divorce. Most likely, at some point this year, the McCourts will sell the team in order to get cash to A. pay for lawyers and B. pay any money owed to each other.
This type of statement is what make people hate Yankee fans. Many, apparently you included, seem to think it is the birthright of the Yankees to the best, young players in the league. Let me guess, in 4 years, the roster will look like this, right?
Lincecum
CC
Kershaw
Greinke
Haren
And the lineup is:
SS-Jeter(last season)
2B-Utley
3B-Arod
1B-Teix
DH-Pujols
C-Mauer
LF-Crawford
CF-Kemp
RF- Ichiro
Yea, this is all gonna happen right? The payroll would ONLY be about $500M/year
why arent they trying to lock up ethier as well? he produced more then Kemp, although his glove isnt near as good. Not to mention Andre was HUGE in the clutch.
and it seemed like he was always up when they needed him. he did get off to a slow start but ended up doing really good. but throughout the year he was very clutch.
I know this would never happen, but if the Dodgers traded Kemp they would get a massive haul. They should only look into it if they can’t lock him up though.
Not sure why’d they’d want to get a haul for him; beats having to put together a haul to get him back.
Because of the McCourt situation, they could be forced to lower payroll.
If the Dodgers were ever forced to go on fire sale mode, causing them to trade many of their talented players, they would get a nice haul of prospects. But I doubt they will go on fire sale for reasons stated below.
I never said they were going on a fire sale mode.
Notice I wrote “if”.
MLB is on its way to obliteration. Salaries have become ridiculous. Smaller market teams will soon begin to close down and even the large market teams will feel the crunch of the failing economy.