Dodgers Rumors Roundup: Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig ‘Actively’ Shopped; Reds Join the Fray

If you’ve been on Twitter all day then you’ve been subject to dozens of rumors involving the Los Angeles Dodgers from just as many reporters with nothing to show for it except Chase Utley joining the baseball operations team.

We’re going to try to get all the rumors from the day in this article.

According to a source, the Dodgers are actively trying to trade Yasiel Puig and/or Matt Kemp.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 12, 2018

With each day comes one (or more) Yasiel Puig rumors. It appears that the 28-year-old will be dealt and it’s just a matter of who and when. As for Matt Kemp, it’s been clear since they dealt for him last December that they would like to find a taker for his contract. It’ll just be a matter of attaching the right player/prospects to join him.

Dodgers have talked to other teams about moving two outfielders among the group of Kemp, Puig, Pederson, Bellinger, and as they look to re-shape payroll, they are also are prepared to move starting pitchers Rich Hill and Alex Wood.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2018

Buster Olney started the day with this rumor and while it’s basically what we expect, seeing Cody Bellinger’s name was new. To this point we’d only seen Bellinger’s name as who the Miami Marlins asked for in exchange for JT Realmuto.

Impression from a rival about the Dodgers: “Any of their guys are in play except Buehler and Bellinger.” (My add: we’ll assume Kershaw, Turner, Seager and Jansen probably aren’t going anywhere either).

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018

Later in the day, Jon Heyman tweeted this so maybe Bellinger is untouchable after all. Dave Roberts did mention that he sees the former Rookie of the Year as an everyday player for the team in 2019 in his presser.

#Dodgers, #Reds have talked multiple times, sources tell The Athletic. Different packages being discussed; Puig in play as well as other LAD outfielders, pitchers. Dodgers want to clear money for other pursuits. Puig projected $11.3M in arb, per @mlbtraderumors, Alex Wood $9M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2018

A new team joined the rumors today with the Cincinnati Reds becoming the latest. Puig would rejoin Turner Ward if this were to happen. This rumor became a bit wilder with Rosenthal’s follow-up tweet.

In one variation of this deal, #Dodgers would take back Homer Bailey from #Reds and his remaining $28M commitment as a way of buying prospects. Bailey’s CBT number (average annual salary in multi-year deal) is $17.5M. Deal complex, still in discussion, not close. https://t.co/y3yVs5Rpsf

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2018

It would make sense for the Dodgers to deal Puig/outfielder and Alex Wood but taking back Homer Bailey’s deal for some prospects would be a new wrinkle to the proposed offseason plans.

Tomorrow will bring new rumors and possibly new teams in the mix so we’ll just sit back and wait for them to roll in.

Hearing the Dodgers would likely do a Ross Stripling-for-Francisco Cervelli trade with the Pirates. #pirates #dkps

— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) December 12, 2018

So this rumor popped up and presented a short-term solution to the Dodgers’ catching problem. Stripling is coming off an All-Star season and his value is at an all-time high.

Dodgers are out on Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli now but Mets and Red Sox both have at least some interest. #pirates #dkps

— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) December 12, 2018

But then the rumor died before we could fully digest it. Stripling is still a candidate to be dealt though because of his sky-high value and versatility on a pitching staff. He may be more valuable to another team as a starter.

This one is a surprise. #Dodgers talking to #STLCards about Jose Martinez, sources tell The Athletic. LAD could play the defensively challenged Martinez at first base, with Muncy at second and Bellinger in center.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2018

Rosenthal dropped this latest report and it’s definitely out of left field. Jose Martinez can hit really, really well. You can’t say the same for his defense. While Max Muncy held his own at second base as the year went on, it’s still tough to see him sticking there for a majority of the year.

Either way, Martinez has a career .850 OPS in 822 career AB and clubbed 30 doubles and 17 home runs last season. Knowing Friedman, it’s possible the Dodgers try to get Martinez only to flip him to an AL team for another need.