Leadoff Dodgers

Since the Winter Meetings have been finished for a little over a week, it was only a matter of time before a major trade happened. The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Homer Bailey and two minor league prospects. This isn’t the trade that Dodger fans wanted to happen but, it was a trade that will potentially benefit the Dodgers. Furthermore, this isn’t the major trade that Dodger fans wanted to see (Kluber or Realmuto).

I understand the emotions that many fans are feeling and I somewhat feel them too. It will be strange to not see these players in a Dodger jersey anymore but, they play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back. Puig and Kemp were obviously fan favorites but that doesn’t mean they aren’t expendable. Fans took to Instagram very quick to voice their frustration, which is fair, however, these people don’t know what is actually happening or why the Dodgers are doing this.

Reds receive:

• Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer

Dodgers receive:

• Homer Bailey, Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray

The Dodgers completed this trade in order to dump salary and get rid of players that the Dodgers had a surplus of. In total, the Dodgers are shedding about $40 million worth of payroll in the four players but they are forced to take on the final year of Homer Bailey’s contract which is roughly $25 million. Adding on to that, the Dodgers will be releasing Bailey as soon as the trade is finalized.

For the prospect, Jeter Downs, he apparently has the ability to be an All-Star caliber player. He can hit and hit for power. Could the Dodgers use this kid as a trade chip for another blockbuster trade? Or do they store him in the minors until he is ready to contribute? Any of these options could happen.

What does this mean?

It can only mean one thing. The Dodgers are clearing room to add a major player to their roster. By major player, I think we all know who I mean. This trade wouldn’t make any sense from the Dodgers standpoint unless they have another trade or free agent signing in the works. I can see Corey Kluber or JT Realmuto being traded. I know these names are being discussed so much for a lot of teams but, I feel like Los Angeles is pulling the trigger in order to bring a championship to the city.

From what I have seen, Corey Kluber is now the prime focus of the Dodgers. I’ve discussed this multiple times already and I’m just preaching to the choir at this point. However, it seems like the Dodgers have something big in the works.

So, this post is bittersweet. We won’t be seeing any of these fan favorites in Dodger blue anytime soon and it will be strange. On the other hand, this trade sets up something that could change the Dodgers for forever. I predict something big to happen in the next week or so. Harper? No, he won’t sign until January. Another major trade? Yes, for who? No clue.

Best of luck to Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer in Cincinnati. You will all be missed!