Padres agree to acquire Matt Kemp

ByABC News
December 18, 2014, 9:05 PM

— -- LOS ANGELES -- The blockbuster deal sending outfielder Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the San Diego Padres has been agreed upon, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

The deal was cast into some doubt after USA Today reported Thursday that Kemp's physical revealed arthritis in both hips. The Dodgers were upset that Kemp's medical information leaked publicly, sources told Shelburne, though one Dodgers source told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Mark Saxon that the team never felt the deal was seriously jeopardized.

There could be some lingering ill will between the Dodgers' front office and first-year Padres general manager A.J. Preller because of the belief that Kemp's physical results were leaked to help San Diego pry further concessions out of its NL West foes, sources said. The Padres did ask for additional compensation from the Dodgers after Kemp's physical, but Los Angeles refused.

The deal, however, will go through as originally reported, sources said. Former Dodgers scouting director Logan White, who now works in San Diego, is viewed as one of the driving forces behind its completion.

The trade will send Kemp, catcher Tim Federowicz and $32 million to San Diego for catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitching prospects Joe Wieland and Zach Eflin. The Dodgers now plan to trade Eflin and pitching prospect Tom Windle to the Philadelphia Phillies for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

Kemp was the runner-up for the National League MVP in 2011, but he has dealt with a long string of injuries since April 2012. He underwent two shoulder surgeries and a major operation on his right ankle and had three hamstring strains. Until now, he had never been diagnosed with a hip ailment.

The 30-year-old Kemp hit 17 of his 25 home runs and drove in 54 runs after the All-Star break last season. He led the major leagues in slugging percentage during that span.

The Dodgers had been looking to trade an expensive veteran outfielder -- either Kemp, Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford -- for more than a year. They still will listen to offers for Ethier and Crawford since they are intent on giving prospect Joc Pederson an everyday opportunity and are content with Scott Van Slyke as their fourth outfielder.

Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Mark Saxon was used in this report.