Matt Kemp extends w/LAD, 8 yrs./$160M

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

WOW! http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7233500/sources-matt-kemp-los-angeles-dodgers-160-million-deal

 

Then again, the Reyes, Madson, etc.. were done deals, so I guess we can wait for the ink to dry. Does this have an impact on Fielder's deal?

[endaround]

Since Kemp was in line to make maybe $15m next year I don't see Fielder getting much less.

[monty57]

I think every deal signed has impacts on all future deals signed, as the teams and agents are looking for "comps." Boras is surely licking his chops that a guy with similar numbers and a year of arbitration just signed a big deal. I expect someone will give Prince more than $20MM/year, and I think Boras/Fielder will try to get someone to sign an 8-year deal. Someone will bite, and for 8 years / $184MM, I hope the Brewers stay far, far away.

[sveumrules]

Seems like a lot of money for someone whose true talent is probably far closer to his 2009 than his 2011. I think in three or four years his 2011 will be an Adrian Beltre sized outlier.

[Funketown]

That seems a bit steep for Kemp. He really struggled the season before last.

[Warning Track Power]

If I was an indifferent fan, meaning not a Brewer or Dodger fan, I think I'd take Matt Kemp at $20MM/year for the next 8 over Prince for the same deal. Having said that, Boras will definitely top this deal given Prince's stats versus Kemp's stats. I think we just saw Prince's contract rise to the level of 8 years/$190MM to top the Teixeira deal.

[HiAndTight]

If I was an indifferent fan, meaning not a Brewer or Dodger fan, I think I'd take Matt Kemp at $20MM/year for the next 8 over Prince for the same deal. Having said that, Boras will definitely top this deal given Prince's stats versus Kemp's stats. I think we just saw Prince's contract rise to the level of 8 years/$190MM to top the Teixeira deal.

Yeah, because Kemps monster year is freseh in our minds.

 

But as previously stated, he's also struggled. Prince for his size has been as consistent as can be. In reality, Kemp's probably going to end up in LF by the time this is over. Given his up and down nature, and Prince's durability thus far, that'd be a very difficult decision to make.

 

If Kemp comes back next year with a WAR of 5.5 at least or 6, it'd be an obvious decision. As it stands, I think I'd rather have Prince for 8/160. As much flak as he gets for his terrible body, he's really not that fat, and he's played 160 games just about every season.

[sveumrules]

If I was an indifferent fan, meaning not a Brewer or Dodger fan, I think I'd take Matt Kemp at $20MM/year for the next 8 over Prince for the same deal. Having said that, Boras will definitely top this deal given Prince's stats versus Kemp's stats. I think we just saw Prince's contract rise to the level of 8 years/$190MM to top the Teixeira deal.

In the NL I definitely agree with this sentiment since Prince's defense is already so terrible and you can always move Kemp to a corner. In the AL I'd rather give Prince the deal because his offense has been so consistent and his defense doesn't need to be a concern with the DH available.

[DHonks]

Kemp plays outstanding defense in the outfield. He's arguably worth more than Prince per year, but not worth more than Pujols (at least the next few years)

[crewcrazy]

Outstanding is probably a little strong to describe his defense, but he's capable in CF. Even if/when he has to move out of the position, he has the arm to be good in RF if that's where the Dodgers want him.

 

This is probably an overpay, but the Dodgers were in a position where they had to do something positive to get the fanbase believing in the future again. He wasn't going to be a FA until next year, but at least with Kemp locked up there's a bit of cost certainty for whoever ends up buying the team. He has the talent to put up a few more seasons like he had this year, but he's also admitted that his 2010 numbers were down because he checked out in the second half. The new coaching staff in 2011 refreshed his focus (Davey Lopes gets a lot of credit for Kemp's improvement), but how long until that wears off, especially if the Dodgers stay stuck in neutral for another couple years? That's what would worry me if I was a Dodger fan, but once the franchise gets back on its feet I doubt they'd have to worry too much about him being an albatross.

[Warning Track Power]

If I was an indifferent fan, meaning not a Brewer or Dodger fan, I think I'd take Matt Kemp at $20MM/year for the next 8 over Prince for the same deal. Having said that, Boras will definitely top this deal given Prince's stats versus Kemp's stats. I think we just saw Prince's contract rise to the level of 8 years/$190MM to top the Teixeira deal.

Yeah, because Kemps monster year is freseh in our minds.

 

But as previously stated, he's also struggled. Prince for his size has been as consistent as can be. In reality, Kemp's probably going to end up in LF by the time this is over. Given his up and down nature, and Prince's durability thus far, that'd be a very difficult decision to make.

 

If Kemp comes back next year with a WAR of 5.5 at least or 6, it'd be an obvious decision. As it stands, I think I'd rather have Prince for 8/160. As much flak as he gets for his terrible body, he's really not that fat, and he's played 160 games just about every season.

As good as Fielder is at the plate, the upside of Kemp and his ability to apparently match Prince's production, albeit for one season, while playing a majority of his games in the bigger ballparks of the NL West makes him the choice for me at $20MM/season. As much as I love Prince, he is really a 2 tool player,power and average. Kemp is a legit 5 tool guy as he can provide the speed, arm and glove in addition to the power and average. If Kemp's 2011 wasn't a fluke, and I don't think it is, I think you would have to consider him the better choice for a $20MM/year deal over the next 8 seasons.

[Flood Pants]

As good as Fielder is at the plate, the upside of Kemp and his ability to apparently match Prince's production, albeit for one season, while playing a majority of his games in the bigger ballparks of the NL West makes him the choice for me at $20MM/season. As much as I love Prince, he is really a 2 tool player,power and average. Kemp is a legit 5 tool guy as he can provide the speed, arm and glove in addition to the power and average. If Kemp's 2011 wasn't a fluke, and I don't think it is, I think you would have to consider him the better choice for a $20MM/year deal over the next 8 seasons.

Defense is also a factor here. As he ages and loses mobility, he can move from CF to one of the corners and still be a plus defender. Fielder has nowhere to move to. It's a great bet that Kemp will be worth more to an NL team in 7-8 years than Prince will be.

[TooLiveBrew]

This isn't new or anything, but since it's the seventh-largest contract extension in MLB history, I think it could warrant discussion.

MLBTR link

LA Times's Dodgers Blog piece 1

LA Times's Dodgers Blog piece 2

From that first LA Times piece -

"Here's the payment schedule:

2012, $10 million, of which $2 million is deferred without interest; 2013, $20 million; 2014-15, $21 million per season; 2016-19, $21.5 million per season.

Kemp also received a $2-million signing bonus and agreed to donate $250,000 annually to the Dodgers Dream Foundation.

There does not appear to be a no-trade clause in the deal."

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Well, with the ink now dry, it will be interesting to see how this impacts Pujols, Fielder, and Reyes