Dodgers Reset Payroll In Trade With Braves To Prep For '18 Free Agency

The Dodgers, in an "unforeseen move that reset" the organization’s luxury-tax payroll, "reacquired" OF Matt Kemp from the Braves in exchange for 1B Adrian Gonzalez, P Brandon McCarthy, P Scott Kazmir and SS Charlie Culberson. The Dodgers' plan is to "reduce their luxury-tax number below" the $197M threshold for '18 after having been "penalized for the past five seasons for luxury-tax violations." With the deal, the Dodgers "sought financial relief and flexibility" for after the '18 season, when P Clayton Kershaw could "join a star-studded class of free agents" that includes Nationals RF Bryce Harper, Orioles 3B Manny Machado, Indians P Andrew Miller and Red Sox P Craig Kimbrel (L.A. TIMES, 12/17).