Los Angeles Dodgers and Matt Kemp likely to reach eight-year $160 million deal – MLB News
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Matt Kemp are about to reach an eight-year deal worth $160 million on Tuesday, November 15, sources revealed. With the announcement of the deal, Kemp will stand along some of baseball’s highest paid players and far superior to
any other Dodger.
The deal was, at first, expected on Monday in Campton, but no information was provided to the reporters. The Dodgers asked Kemp for a physical before the deal on Monday. His presence with the Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt at the dedication of the new baseball
field was considered an expected preview of the deal announcement.
The Dodgers are likely to offer the right-hander an eight-year $160 million contract, which is without any incentives and option years. Before Kemp, Kevin Brown signed the highest contract with the Dodgers as he signed a seven-year $105 million deal in 1998.
This past season, Kemp touched a National League leading 39 home-runs and 126 RBIs and will be a free agent after the 2012 MLB season.
"We're getting close but nothing is official yet," Kemp said. "Everybody knows that I want to stay a Dodger, be a Dodger and end my career here. That's up to the Dodger organization."
It will be an unlikely move for the Dodgers to sign a player for eight years, as General Manager Ned Colletti has taken over charge for the past six years and the club has been unwilling to sign any player for more than three years. Kemp’s agent Dave Stewart
and Colletti however at this time are optimistic about this contract.
Kemp has also shown his interest to stay with the Dodgers. He said that he wanted to stay in Los Angeles and wanted to retire with the Dodgers.
"This is a beautiful city. We've got great fans and they've been nothing but supportive of my career," Kemp said. "The Dodgers are the ones that gave me a chance to come up to the big leagues and follow my dreams."
The 27-year-old is also a strong candidate for the Most Valuable Player award, but he will have to wait until next week to see whether these numbers make him a MVP or not.
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