Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Matt Kemp Likely To Move Before Deadline

Boston Red Sox trade rumors are focusing on unloading more of the team’s only valuable commodity, pitching. As the Red Sox have stumbled their way to the American League East cellar, Boston has all but given up on the 2014 season. Which makes the Matt Kemp trade rumors so odd for the Boston Red Sox.

After moving Jake Peavy in a trade with the San Francisco Giants last week, the Red Sox are rumored to be looking to move the left-handed John Lester. As expected, the Boston Red Sox acquired two minor league pitching prospects for Peavy and were thought to be stockpiling more future oriented players. However, in recent days, it appears that the Boston Red Sox trade rumors are suggesting that Matt Kemp is being targeted by the 2013 World Series Champions.

Matt Kemp has floundered the last few years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. From 2008-2012, Matt Kemp was a dominant offensive force in the outfield for the Dodgers. Since then, injuries and a crowded outfield in Los Angeles have led to Kemp struggling. Although his.273 average and 40 RBI’s are decent, his eight home runs are lower than what the Dodgers were hoping to get from the former All-Star.

According to Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston, the Boston Red Sox trade rumors concerning Matt Kemp make the most sense as the team hopes to add a legitimate outfielder. Kemp’s $118 million contract is a problem, but by trading Jon Lester and the Dodgers eating some of Kemp’s contract, the deal can be done. In Lester, the Dodgers would be getting a pitcher to help them make a final push for the playoff run.

Lester has been fantastic over the last two months, making himself a super valuable commodity as the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches. A trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers would be especially interesting, considering the Red Sox traded their other pitcher to the Dodgers’ rival San Francisco Giants. The two teams are only separated by half a game in the National League West.

Even if the Boston Red Sox trade rumors surrounding Matt Kemp are not true, the team is still expected to be very active before Thursday.

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