Veteran infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp had a July 1 opt-out date in his minor league deal and exercised it. He has been released and is now a free agent. The news was reported on X by Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune and Darren Wolfson of SKOR North.
Kemp, 32, spent the previous four seasons with the Athletics but has been a nomad this year. He signed a minor league deal with the Reds in February but didn’t make that club’s Opening Day roster, allowing him to opt out and land on the major league roster of the Orioles. But he struggles in just five games with the O’s before being cut loose, which led to his minor league deal with the Twins.
In 46 games with Triple-A St. Paul, Kemp has stepped to the plate 187 times and has been in decent form. He has drawn walks 9.6% of the time while limiting strikeouts to a 12.8% clip. He currently sports a line of .279/.358/.436, which translates to a wRC+ of 106. He’s been especially locked in lately, having hit .346/.388/.539 in 20 games in the month of June. He had another opt-out a month ago but skipped that one before going on his recent hot streak.
Kemp has mostly played second base and left field in his career, but there’s not a ton of room for the Twins to fit him in. Willi Castro has been getting most of the playing time at the keystone and is having a great year. Trevor Larnach is playing well in left while Austin Martin has solid numbers backing up both spots. They also have Kyle Farmer around as a glove-first infielder the bench while Edouard Julien and Yunior Severino are infielders on optional assignment with Matt Wallner alongside them for corner outfield depth. Shortstop prospect Brooks Lee is also crushing the ball in Triple-A but may end up moved to second or third base in deference to Carlos Correa. Meanwhile, Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda have been sharing third base and the designated hitter slot lately, both hitting well.
With that crowded position player mix, Kemp couldn’t get a roster spot but will try elsewhere. He’ll be able to pitch himself to the 30 clubs with his strong run of play this year as well as his track record. He slashed .252/.341/.361 with the A’s from 2020 to 2022, production that translates to a 105 wRC+. He also stole 22 bases while moving between the infield and outfield as needed. Unfortunately, his line dipped to .209/.303/.304 in 2023, which has left him scrambling to find a regular gig this year.
He’ll head out to the open market to see what kind of opportunities await him. Even if he can’t immediately secure a major league gig, he could perhaps find minor league offers from clubs with better paths to playing time than he had with the Twins. Furthermore, roster shakeup around the league is inevitable in the weeks to come with the trade deadline coming up on July 30.
Yankees! Please get rid of DJL and Gleyber!
No.
No please not Yankees not ever not for free with free blue cheese
Like kemp is an upgrade over those 2
If he can field the ball and run the bases he’s an upgrade. DJL has ZERO speed. Torres can’t field and is slow with a .190 batting average. DJL is batting even worse, like .180. Again, remind me how good they are.
Kemp is worse AND was a member of the Cheating Astros
Just retire already . Go sign autographs at card shows . Hopefully you invested your $$$ well.
Aren’t you just a ray of sunshine?
There comes a point when a grown man
Playing a kids sport needs to realize his career is over.
Is he at 10 years yet? Plenty of reason to keep playing if he’s close.
a32 – 6.098.
pharmor
“Just retire already ”
Adios
English amigo ! This is America
Tony Kemp was an excellent veteran clubhouse voice with the A’s, something they are severely lacking. I hope he catches on to another club that will use his talent.
I agree @Philly.
looks like he can still hit, with a decent ability to take a BB and avoid the K. worth a bench roster spot for someone, esp at prorated min.
Oooohh that’s the difference that’s why Oakland stinks well they better go out there and outbid themselves for the missing piece
Mets could use him
It’s over Johnny, it’s all over.
The Pirates will grab him, just to get more of the same thing.
Let the bidding war begin!
Hello white sox
Cbeisbol- No one gives A F if you “mute” people
Mariners could look at Kemp if they want Ryan Bliss to get regular work in AAA.
Time to get in the Front Office . I would welcome him into some position with the Sac / Vegas A’s .A fine human Kemp is .
O dude shut up with the over praise u know nothing about the guy my god clean his jock strap why don’t ya
Your knowledge on Kemp is about as good as your use of punctuation.
One of the great guys in baseball. Hope he can get another gig. Sadly I don’t think he’ll get the 3+ years he needs for a pension.
He’s better than Mastrobuoni. Says it all.
I could see the Marlins picking him up after DFA’ing Tim Anderson.