Sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Padres are shopping outfielder Matt Kemp and starter Tyson Ross. This comes as no surprise, particularly after the Padres sent closer Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox on Saturday.
Kemp, 31, is owed $21.75 million over each of the next four seasons for a total of $87 million. Ross, 28, is entering his third of four years of arbitration eligibility after earning $5.25 million this past season. He’ll earn a pay raise of at least several million dollars.
Kemp struggled to begin the season but had a solid second half and ultimately finished with a .265/.312/.443 triple-slash line, 23 home runs, and 100 RBI in 648 plate appearances. He’s been able to stay healthy in each of the past two seasons, which is a good sign for interested teams.
Ross had another strong season, finishing 2015 with a 3.26 ERA and a 212/84 K/BB ratio over 196 innings. The 84 walks led the majors, but it was the lowest walks total ever to lead the league, so there’s that.