NL West Notes: Matt Kemp trade, Rockies confidence

The Padres have no time to waste in trying to move outfielder Matt Kemp, writes Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union Tribune. Brown says that Kemp's value is going to be at its peak right after the All-Star Break, and moving him will put the Padres in a better place.

It will give them the payroll flexibility that they will need, and it will open up some room for their two top outfield prospects, Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe.

More news from around the National League West:

• Colorado finds themselves in a good place, with better pitching and a diverse offense combining for a four game winning streak. The team now heads east for a road test, starting with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Here are three trades that the Diamondbacks would probably want to have back.
• Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News talks about how Buster Posey is better now than he was before. Posey's caught-stealing rate is at a career high, and that has had an impact on the pitching staff.
• Scott Van Slyke is getting closer to a rehab assignment and the Dodgers are in need of his help, in left field and as a backup first baseman.  He has been missing action because of lower back soreness.

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