In today's Mariners rumors and news update, the Seattle Mariners are reportedly giving Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp a look prior to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, Kemp doesn't qualify as the team's first option on the current market. However, they are still seriously considering bringing the oft-maligned 2011 Baseball America Player of the Year:
Right now, Matt Kemp is a backup plan for the Mariners. But their interest is very real. Idea would be to transition him to DH eventually.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2014
Kemp and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly are rumored to be at odds due to Kemp's publicly-stated desire to both start more often and to start in center field. The 29-year-old slugger has struggled mightily at the plate (and in the outfield) this season as well, prompting the Dodgers to shop Kemp's remaining five years and $100 million-plus on the trade market - a salary that the Dodgers will undoubtedly have to eat a hefty portion of for any trade to be completed.
It is unknown as of this time if Kemp is open to the idea of transitioning to a full-time designated hitter role, but that's the most logical of destinations for him if he does end up landing in Seattle in the next few days.
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