Dodgers Web musings: Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw & all that cash
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Money, money, money. Not the kind you and I make, and not the kind we can even imagine spending.
We’re talking the big money that star players make. The Dodgers currently have two mega-stars, and unfortunately at this bankrupt time, both are approaching major contracts.
Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw are arbitration-eligible this off-season; Kemp for the last time, Kershaw for the first.
Kemp’s situation makes his long-term signing more pressing, but his agent, Dave Stewart, inferred to The Times’ Dylan Hernandez that the Dodgers best not expect a significant hometown discount to sign him.
Last year at age 32, Jayson Werth signed for $126 million and 30-year-old Carl Crawford for $142 million, both for seven years. Kemp is only 27 and coming off an MVP-caliber season.
Though Kershaw remains under team control, Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors said it could cost the Dodgers as much as $35 million just during his arbitration years. Mike Petriello of MikeSciosciasTragicIllness thinks the Dodgers’ unwillingness to gamble and tie up Kershaw prior to his breakout season is going to cost them serious dollars.
Also on the Web: — Kemp and Kershaw were named to the Sporting News National League All-Star team. Kemp was the only unanimous selection to the team selected by front-office executives.
— At MLB.com Jim Mills has a moving story of a thank-you letter Don Newcombe sent to his father for defending him to some racist fans in the Philadelphia stands back in 1956, his Cy Young and MVP season.
— The Times’ Helen Elliott thinks Kim Ng is ready and would be an ideal choice as the Angels’ new general manager. The former Dodgers assistant GM interviewed with the Angels on Wednesday.
— Meanwhile, former Dodgers GM Dan Evans — who never did get the credit deserved before ousted by the McCourts — is scheduled to interview with the Angels Thursday.
— Current Dodgers assistant GM De Jon Watson interviewed for the Orioles vacant GM job on Wednesday.
— And current Dodgers GM Ned Colletti tells Fox Sports’ Joe McDonnell that he’s having a difficult time watching the playoffs on TV again.
— Given L.A.’s history, the Daily News’ Tom Hoffarth thinks the word ‘looting’ might not be the most apt usage to describe the McCourts helping themselves to the Dodgers’ spoils.
— The Register’s Howard Cole thinks criticism of Tim McCarver on the World Series broadcasts is out of whack.
— Sports Illustrated’s Joe Posnanski confesses to his love affair with bullpen phones.
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— Steve Dilbeck