If a 2020 major league season does occur, there’s a good chance that the designated hitter will come to the National League. With that in mind, MLBTR has been taking a look at how the rule could affect the NL’s 15 teams. We’ve already focused on the Giants, Brewers, Braves, Nationals, Cardinals, Reds, Diamondbacks and Dodgers. We’ll now turn our attention to the Marlins, who are not expected to push for a playoff spot this year (you never know in a shortened season, though) but do have at least one well-known player who could benefit from the NL barring pitchers from hitting.
While it seems like ancient history now, outfielder Matt Kemp was once among the most valuable players in baseball. Now 35 years old, Kemp had several productive years with the Dodgers from 2006-14, during which he combined for a .292/.349/.495 line (128 wRC+) with 182 home runs, 170 stolen bases and 25.1 fWAR in 4,496 plate appearances. Kemp even nearly won an MVP in that time, finishing second to the Brewers’ Ryan Braun in 2011.
Even at the height of his powers as a hitter, questions abounded in regards to Kemp’s defense, and they haven’t subsided. Kemp has thus far accounted for an awful minus-133 Defensive Runs Saved with a minus-102.7 Ultimate Zone Rating during his career. Worsening matters, Kemp’s offensive numbers began deteriorating in 2014, the last year during his first Dodgers stint, and have mostly continued to do so since they traded him to the Padres in December 2014.
Since he first donned a San Diego uniform, Kemp has batted .272/.314/.467 (good for a fairly mediocre 107 wRC+) in 2,355 trips to the plate with the Padres and a couple other teams. Last season was especially horrible for Kemp, who totaled a paltry 62 PA with the Reds and hit .200/.210/.283 (20 wRC+). The seven-time 20-home run man only managed one HR in Cincinnati, which released him in early May, and he was unable to make his way to the Mets after they inked him to a minor league contract toward the end of May. They wound up releasing Kemp in July after a short and dismal run with their Triple-A affiliate.
In fairness to Kemp, a broken rib played some role in his nightmarish 2019. It’s also worth noting he’s only two seasons removed from a quality offensive performance in 2018, when he slashed .290/.338/.481 (122 wRC+) with 21 homers in his one-year return to the Dodgers en route to his third All-Star bid. Kemp couldn’t find a guaranteed contract this past offseason after last year’s fiasco, though, leading the non-contending Marlins to take a chance on him on a minors pact.
Considering Kemp’s falling offense and his subpar defense, he looked like a long shot to make the Miami roster when the club added him. However, between a universal DH and expanded rosters, Kemp may well receive a legitimate opportunity to revive his career this year. But there are other members of the Marlins – Matt Joyce, Garrett Cooper and Jesus Aguilar are clear examples – who could rack up DH at-bats if Kemp’s not up to the task.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
i still cant imagine they retain Kemp with Aguliar and Cooper both on the roster
Braun stole that mvp from him
The writers did a poor job voting on awards during those years. Kemp was clearly the MVP in 2011 and RA Dickey winning the 2012 cy young over Kershaw was laughable. Thankfully voting has got a lot better.
They’re referring to Braun’s PED use. I agree that he stole the MVP from Kemp
kemp wasn’t using? news to me!
So you’re a pedophile?
See how false accusations feel.
Says the guy with the Boyscouts symbol
It’s the 2nd Calvary
Armored Cavalry
Well, they do say it takes one to know one…
That one was definitely a toss up just depending on how much you believe in defensive metrics which weren’t great at the time. 2011 isn’t a season to really be bothered by for MVP.
2011 MVP was David Freese. Most clutch performance in the history of mankind.
Check your facts pal
Cy Young’s are my favorite awards to parse through. You’ve got multiple-time winners like Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, and others. Then you’ve got years where guys like Dicky and Rich Porcello won the award.
My favorite fun fact: Nolan Ryan never won a Cy Young award.
Ryan also never won a WS. Just another fun fact.
Many of those cases exist. It’s a bit odd considering his other accolades and career numbers.
@Ejemp 2006
Except it isn’t a fact. 1969 Mets…
Except it isn’t a fact – Nolan Ryan won a ring as a reliever on the 1969 Mets…
facts aren’t fun when they’re wrong.
You don’t need to say it twice (like I did) – first comment disappeared and re-appeared.
But you can put together a wicked all time team of all stars/HOFers who haven’t won a WS. Weirdly a fair few cubs & red sox fellows usually feature!
He won as a member of th ’69 Mets. Hen made 1 appearance and recorded a save.
Does anyone believe that NL teams will actually sign players because there will be a universal DH?
Yes. Makes perfect sense that when a new job is available that someone will be hired to fill it
I don’t know.
I think theyll look at in house options first then look at minor options.
NL DH doesn’t mean they’ll sign guys just to DH. Most NL teams have candidates already.
Mlbtr is doing a series about in house options at DH for NL teams.
Puig gets signed faster
I suspect at least a few teams with a top prospect they don’t want sitting idle on a MiLB roster all year will rotate them into their big league lineups as one or more established players already on their roster take turns at DH.
Legit teams that take pride in their baseball, like the Cards and Nats, higher chance they sign DH types.
Crap teams that should be contracted from the league, like the Marlins and Pirates, not a chance they sign a real player to a real contract to solve their DH needs.
@Ejemp2006
I seriously doubt the Cardinals sign anyone to be their dh. They will fill it in house. My guess is Carpenter.
So when they don’t sign a player to be their dh will that make them a “crap team” also?
Off topic I know but condolences to Starling Marté on the passing of his wife.
Wiffle ball.
towney townsend’s batting disks!
I enjoyed Kemp as a Brave. I wish him luck
Kemp still has the talent to play, but his biggest question over the past few years have been injuries which heavily affected his game. No way he regains MVP form, but at least an above replacement player when healthy.
There comes a time to move on.. Best wishes in your next career, Matt.
watching him during the Reds spring training last year, the glimmer of a good player is definitely still there but he’s going to need regular ABs to fully get there. Unfortunately I don’t think his leash is long enough to allow that to happen anymore, even with a DH spot in the lineup.
You would have thought Kemp was 40 years old with how he’s been treated the last few years. His career got derailed due to the size of his contract and he just kept getting tossed to the side. At the very least he should be on a teams bench.
With the expanded 30 man rosters, they should absolutely give Kemp a roster spot. He would strictly be a part time DH vs LHP and a late inning source of power to face guys like Hader and Will Smith late.
I like what the Marlins have done this offseason and could be farther along then some think. That pitching staff could be for real but of course they have to prove it first.
As a Phils fan I’m kind of interested to see how Jorge Alfaro handles that staff and if he can cut down on his strikeouts at the plate. The former Rangers farmhand also hits the ball as hard as anyone in the league btw.