With Matt Kemp arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career, the Dodgers have approached him about a multi-year deal. Kemp's agent Dave Stewart (yes, THAT Dave Stewart, the former starting pitcher), says that Kemp may just go year-to-year for now.
The talk doesn't look too serious, more like a feeling out process. With Kemp so young, he may do the arbitration thing (meaning one-year deals) until he reaches six years of service. Currently, he's entering his fifth year.
On paper, it looks like an easy decision for the Dodgers to lock up one of their bright, young stars. But dig deeper into the Dodgers recent history of multi-year deals for young players, and it's not pretty.
Paul LoDuca got one in 2002, and Cesar Izturis and Eric Gagne is 2005. Well, Izturis and Gagne suffered major injuries that derailed their careers, and LoDuca's career went into a tailspin shortly after. Oh ya, LoDuca and Gagne were on the Mitchell Report. Coincidence? Ah, no.
So you can see why Ned Colletti might hold off on dishing out the years and money right now, and rightfully so. While Kemp sure looks like the real deal, it's not a bad idea to stay the one-year rout for now until he's shown he's consistent enough of a player to earn a fat contract.
After winning the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in '09, Kemp will get a big raise from his $467,000 deal of last season. So it's not like he'll need a winter job or anything for support. He'll be fine.
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