Matt Kemp, Dodgers Discussing Contract Extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers and their star outfielder Matt Kemp have begun negotiations on a long-term contract.  The 27-year-old Kemp, who had an MVP-like season in 2011 and is set to hit free agency after next year, is expected to be unwilling to talk deals after the 2012 season begins.  While monetary figures haven’t been reported, it appears that Kemp is seeking a seven-year contract.

With all of the uncertainty surrounding the club and its upcoming sale, many believe that LA will not be a very active participant in this winter’s free agent market.  While this might take them out of the running for big name free agents, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com hears that the team’s contract negotiations with Kemp have had “more substance lately”.

Entering the offseason, Dodgers’ general manager Ned Colletti made it clear that signing Kemp to a contract extension would be one of the club’s top priorities.  This figures to be a costly commitment, as Kemp is in his prime and coming off a career year.

In 2011, Kemp was mere percentage points away from capturing the National League Triple Crown.  Kemp led the NL in home runs (39) and RBI’s (126) and finished third in the league with a batting average of .324.  Kemp scored a National League-leading 115 runs while tallying 33 doubles and 40 stolen bases.

Finishing the year with a line of .324/.399/.586, Kemp is now sporting a career OPS of .846.  The 2011 All-Star has averaged more than 155 games played since 2008.

Not only does Kemp impact his team at the plate, but he won his second Gold Glove this season for his impressive play in center field.  Kemp’s combo of talent in the field, at the plate and on the base paths earned him Fan Graph’s highest WAR in the NL, 8.7.

Kemp spoke with the media last week and said he hopes that both sides “can work something out”.  Though he’s unsure “what the future holds”, Kemp has said from the beginning that he wants to be “in LA for years to come”.

Dave Stewart, Kemp’s agent did some talking of his own last month, telling Bill Plaschke of the LA Times that “this is not going to be a cheap deal”.  When asked if his client would be willing to discuss his contract during the 2012 season, Stewart said he knows “it is not a good thing to negotiate a contract during the course of the year” stating that “the player needs to be clear of mind and just do his job”.

In another interview with the Times, Stewart mentioned that while winning and team chemistry are important to Kemp, “it’s also important for him to be seen by his peers as one of the best”.  According to Kemp’s agent, the way these things are seen around the league “is often based on how you’re paid”.

Matt Kemp was one of the best players in baseball last season.  We’ll see if the Dodgers decide to pay him like one this winter.

For more on the Dodgers, be sure to check out Lasorda’s Lair.