A week after the Dodgers and San Diego Padres agreed to a five-player trade involving Matt Kemp, the deal still hasn’t been made official.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, that’s because a physical examination this week revealed severe arthritis in both of Kemp’s hips and the Padres are thinking of calling off the deal.
The proposed deal calls for the Dodgers to exchange Kemp and catcher Tim Federowicz in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal, right-hander Joe Wieland and pitching prospect Zach Eflin. The Dodgers also agreed to send the Padres $32 million to cover part of the $107 million Kemp is guaranteed over the next five seasons.
If the trade is canceled, the Dodgers would get back a player in Kemp who is sensitive and knows he isn’t wanted. The Dodgers would likely have trouble dealing him to another team because of the revelation on his medical status.
Even worse, this trade directly affects another, as the Dodgers have agreed to flip Eflin to the Philadelphia Phillies as part of a deal for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
For what it’s worth, the Dodgers remain optimistic the trade will be completed.
Follow Dylan Hernandez on Twitter @dylanohernandez
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