MLB News: Former Dodgers Outfielder Matt Kemp Released by Reds
In somewhat shocking news, today the Cincinnati Reds announced that former Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp has been released.
The #Reds have released OF Matt Kemp.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 4, 2019
Kemp, of course, was traded to Cincy along with Yasiel Puig in the Kyle Farmer trade back in December.
Kemp’s Reds career got off to a rocky start as he posted a .200/.210/.283 triple slash line, adding one home run, while striking out 19 times in 20 games. Unfortunately, he has been on the IL since April 23rd with a “chest wall contusion” — or a broken rib.
Reunion Reaction
https://twitter.com/DanJPreciado/status/1124761063180984326
Matty is in the final year of the 8-year, $160M deal he signed with the Dodgers after the 2011 season. Any team that signs him for the remainder of this season would only be on the hook for a prorated portion of the major league minimum.
With that lower rate, and the extended loss of AJ Pollock, people are calling for another reunion between Los Angeles and the 34 year-old outfielder. While a third reunion is highly unlikely, you cannot hide from the fact that Kemp plays his best baseball in a Dodgers uniform.
Best of luck to Matt Kemp!
Dodgers: Update on A.J. Pollock
Ok, I’ll start off. I had my restrictions about kemp when he came back, I wasn’t sure how he’d react back as a Dodger after they let him go. I will say i was surprised to see how well he performed and I was glad he was doing so good with the Dodgers. I was some what surprised the Dodgers let him go. He is injured also from what I heard. So how bad is the injury? If they brought him back would he do better? he didn’t do well as a Red. And it does look like he likes being a Dodger. Hey, check him out, make sure he’s ok. You are getting him for practically nothing.
Clint……….They also sent former Dodger farm hand Schebler down to AAA…..always thought Schebler was going to be an emerging star…..guess I was way wrong about that one……I think Schebler’s send down was performance related…….I think Kemp’s release was something else based on what I read……….he (Kemp) should try to catch on with an AL team now……….he’s too slow for the NL defensively speaking now…..he tends to get exposed offensively at the plate low and away too……..but there is no denying, when he’s hitting well and not swinging @ pitches out of the strike zone, he can still be a great offensive impact guy.
Another right-handed bat may not hurt us, in fact, it might be a positive move. Granted MK is older and slower, but he led us to a NL championship last year. Throw the old dog a bone!!! Go Blue!!!