The Boston Red Sox are looking for an upgrade in the outfield, and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp is on Boston's radar, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston.
MLB trade rumor roundup: Red Sox considering Matt Kemp, could trade Jon Lester, per reports
The Red Sox are looking at Kemp to bolster their outfield, and they may consider dealing Lester to get him.
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In order to acquire Kemp, the Red Sox may be willing to give up Jon Lester, one of the hottest pitching names on the trading block. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Red Sox are listening to Lester offers, and the Dodgers are interested. However, Nick Cafardo of NESN and MLB Network says there are no "major" discussions between the two teams as of now.
Kemp has been nagged by injuries over the past few years, and his numbers for this season aren’t anything special. The 29-year-old has a .277/.343/.432 slash line to go along with eight home runs and 40 RBI. He still has a whopping $118 million left on a contract that runs through 2019.
Meanwhile, Lester is having a superb year, boasting a 2.52 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 143 innings. The 30-year-old will be a free agent after this season, so any trade for him could be a rental.
Danks still an option for Yankees
The New York Yankees have suffered numerous injuries to their starting pitching staff this season, so the team continues to be on the lookout for another arm. Chicago White Sox southpaw John Danks remains an option, and Danks might be the most likely candidate to join the Yankees' staff, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.
Danks has had a so-so year in Chicago, posting a 9-6 record with a 4.40 ERA. The lefty has $34 million remaining on his contract over the next three years.
San Diego Padres right-hander Ian Kennedy has been linked to the Yankees, but Heyman says there's "no evidence" of negotiations between New York and San Diego. Philadelphia Phillies veteran Cliff Lee could be a possibility down the road if he shows improvement coming off his injury and then clears waivers in August.
Yankees eyeing Willingham
The Yankees aren't just looking to improve their rotation, but their offense as well. Minnesota Twins outfielder Josh Willingham is one potential upgrade, while Marlon Byrd and Alex Rios are options as well, according to Heyman.
Willingham is only hitting .219, but he has a respectable .361 OBP and an OPS of .782. The 35-year-old may be preferable to Byrd and Rios because he’s slated to be a free agent at the end of this year. Rios and the Yankees may not be a good fit anyway, because the veteran outfielder has them on his six-team no-trade list, according to Rosenthal.
Hamels not available
The Red Sox called the Phillies about Cole Hamels last week, but the southpaw isn't available, according to Edes. Heyman says Hamels "seems barely available." The 30-year-old is 5-5 with a 2.72 ERA this season.
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