Veteran infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp had a July 1 opt-out date in his minor league deal and exercised it. He has been launched and is now a free agent. The information was reported on X by Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune and Darren Wolfson of SKOR North.
Kemp, 32, spent the earlier 4 seasons with the Athletics however has been a nomad this 12 months. He signed a minor league cope with the Reds in February however didn’t make that membership’s Opening Day roster, permitting him to decide out and land on the most important league roster of the Orioles. However he struggles in simply 5 video games with the O’s earlier than being lower unfastened, which led to his minor league cope with the Twins.
In 46 video games with Triple-A St. Paul, Kemp has stepped to the plate 187 occasions and has been in respectable kind. He has drawn walks 9.6% of the time whereas limiting strikeouts to a 12.8% clip. He presently sports activities a line of .279/.358/.436, which interprets to a wRC+ of 106. He’s been particularly locked in these days, having hit .346/.388/.539 in 20 video games within the month of June. He had one other opt-out a month in the past however skipped that one earlier than happening his current sizzling streak.
Kemp has principally performed second base and left area in his profession, however there’s not a ton of room for the Twins to suit him in. Willi Castro has been getting many of the taking part in time on the keystone and is having a terrific 12 months. Trevor Larnach is taking part in nicely in left whereas Austin Martin has strong numbers backing up each spots. In addition they have Kyle Farmer round as a glove-first infielder the bench whereas Edouard Julien and Yunior Severino are infielders on non-obligatory project with Matt Wallner alongside them for nook outfield depth. Shortstop prospect Brooks Lee can be crushing the ball in Triple-A however might find yourself moved to second or third base in deference to Carlos Correa. In the meantime, Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda have been sharing third base and the designated hitter slot these days, each hitting nicely.
With that crowded place participant combine, Kemp couldn’t get a roster spot however will attempt elsewhere. He’ll be capable of pitch himself to the 30 golf equipment along with his robust run of play this 12 months in addition to his observe file. He slashed .252/.341/.361 with the A’s from 2020 to 2022, manufacturing that interprets to a 105 wRC+. He additionally stole 22 bases whereas shifting between the infield and outfield as wanted. Sadly, his line dipped to .209/.303/.304 in 2023, which has left him scrambling to discover a common gig this 12 months.
He’ll head out to the open market to see what sort of alternatives await him. Even when he can’t instantly safe a serious league gig, he may maybe discover minor league provides from golf equipment with higher paths to taking part in time than he had with the Twins. Moreover, roster shakeup across the league is inevitable within the weeks to return with the commerce deadline developing on July 30.
