Dodgers Gamble Paying Off Now And For Years To Come

Trading Matt Kemp was the biggest gamble for the Dodgers in the offseason, but that trade paved the way for Joc Pederson’s stardom.

In December 2014, the Dodgers traded fan favorite Matt Kemp to the San Diego Padres for catcher Yasmani Grandal and a few minor league prospects. The move was questionable at the time by many Dodgers fans including myself. Most thought the Padres would be legit contenders to win the division. Kemp also came off a pretty good season and played big time in the playoffs.

Pederson was a really good prospect at the time but he was so young. Therefore, I wasn’t sure if he was ready to become an everyday starter.

Fortunately, this is why I am not a GM for any professional team. That was such a great move going forward. Pederson is starting in this year’s all-star game and is one of the game’s young stars.

Pederson has proved he’s ready for the big leagues and catcher Yasmani Grandal who was traded for Matt Kemp, is also having a really good season up to this point. In fact, Grandal is heading to his first all-star game as well.

Apr 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers players from left Yasmani Grandal , Yasiel Puig , Joel Peralta (62) and Joc Pederson (31) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, for Kemp and the Padres the trade has not worked out so far this season. In addition, up to this point Kemp is batting a career-worst .250, his OBP (on base percentage) is also the lowest of his career at .291. The numbers get worse, Kemp’s slugging percentage is also a career-worst .382 and OPS (on base+Slugging) is only .674.

Overall, these numbers are atrocious for Matt Kemp. He is clearly on the decline and the Dodgers moved him at just the right time. Furthermore, Kemp has recorded 8 home runs and 47 runs batted in.

As for Pederson and Grandal, both are contributing to the Dodgers being in first place right now. Grandal is batting an adequate .282, with an OBP (on base percentage) of .401, slugging percentage of .526 and OPS (On base +Slugging) of .927. Also, Grandal has recorded 14 home runs, 1 short of tying his career high and 36 runs batted in.

Meanwhile, Pederson is displaying exhilarating defense in centerfield and is power hitting like a young superstar in the making. Right now, Pederson’s batting average isn’t too impressive but with more experience it will get better. Lets not forget he is still a twenty-three year old rookie taking the league by storm.

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Pederson is batting .230, with an OBP (on base percentage) of .363, slugging at .457 and OPS (on base + slugging) of .821. His numbers definitely speak for themselves and Pederson has brought excitement to the Dodger faithful. The young centerfielder is one of the most electrifying players in the game today and he is only twenty-three.

Additionally, Pederson has recorded 20 home runs and 40 runs batted in. He is on pace to hit at least 40 homers with at least 80 RBI. If Pederson continues to improve at this pace he will definitely be a MVP candidate for years to come.

Overall, both these new additions have helped the Dodgers sustain first place in the National League West and with both players being under 30 the Dodgers have the opportunity to create what their up north rivals have created, and that’s a dynasty.

I know mentioning the Giants and Dodgers in the same sentence is blasphemy but lets be real the Giants are the main competition at this point.