SAN DIEGO — It appears that any visions of Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp wearing an Orioles uniform this upcoming season can be put to rest.
The Orioles are out on Kemp, according to multiple industry sources.
It currently seems that if the Dodgers deal Kemp, his most likely destination is San Diego. But a deal between Los Angeles and the division-rival Padres has its obstacles, according to reports.
The Orioles inquired about Kemp's availability and saw him as a possible option to replace Nelson Cruz or Nick Markakis.
But discussions went nowhere when the Dodgers told the Orioles of their interest in acquiring either Kevin Gausman or Dylan Bundy in a deal. The Dodgers also were unwilling to pick up any of the $107 million remaining on Kemp's contract through the 2019 season.
But the Orioles' major concern -- especially considering what they would be investing -- was Kemp's health, according to multiple industry sources.
Since finishing second in the National League Most Valuable Player voting in 2011, Kemp suffered from various injuries over the next two seasons, missing a total of 145 games with shoulder, hamstring and ankle injuries in 2012 and 2013.
Kemp had surgery to repair a detached labrum in his nonthrowing shoulder after the 2012 season and then another procedure on the same shoulder after the 2013 season to repair the AC joint. Of greater concern to the Orioles was the long-term health of Kemp's left ankle, which was operated on after the 2013 season. That procedure included microfracture surgery on his ankle bone.
Kemp rebounded from injury in 2014, hitting .287/.346/.506 with 38 doubles, 25 home runs and 89 RBIs, but the Orioles' concern about his long-term health with five years remaining on his deal made them reluctant to make such an investment.
The Orioles have a reputation for having stringent medical standards. L
ast offseason, they pulled out of a two-year deal with reliever Grant Balfour because of health concerns, and more recently, they were reluctant to offer Markakis a fourth year because of long-term concerns about his neck. Markakis signed a four-year deal with the Braves last week.