Tony Kemp, a veteran second baseman/left fielder, is drawing interest from several teams, including the Blue Jays, Pirates, Reds, Red Sox, and Yankees, according to reports from FanSided’s Robert Murray. Kemp, who is currently a free agent for the first time in his career, spent the last four years with the Oakland A’s. As one of the more experienced players on a youthful and rebuilding A’s roster, Kemp has primarily faced right-handed pitching, though his career splits are relatively even against both righties and lefties. In the latter part of the 2023 season, Kemp shifted to left field due to Zack Gelof’s emergence at second base.
Despite his versatility, Kemp’s offensive production took a hit, posting a batting line of .209/.303/.304 over 419 plate appearances in the previous year. While he had notable performances in 2021 with the A’s and in 2018 with the Astros in a part-time role, Kemp has generally been considered a below-average hitter throughout his career, with a 94 wRC+.
It appears that teams considering Tony Kemp are likely viewing him as a bench piece or platoon option at best, and his respected presence could contribute positively to any clubhouse. Although Kemp has some experience playing center field, right field, and shortstop, he seems most settled as a two-position player. Defensive metrics have shown more positive results for his work in left field than at second base.
Among the mentioned teams, the Red Sox might be the best fit for Kemp, especially since their projected left fielder/second baseman starters, Tyler O’Neill and Vaughn Grissom, are both right-handed hitters. The Red Sox roster, with right-handed utilityman Rob Refsnyder and infield backup Enmanuel Valdez, could potentially create an opening for Kemp. Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s familiarity with Kemp from their time with the Astros could also play a role.
The Pirates, on the other hand, have a competitive second-base situation with multiple players vying for playing time. While the preference is for a young player to step up, adding a seasoned player like Kemp could provide depth, and his leadership qualities could be beneficial for a young Pirates team. This is particularly noteworthy, considering the positive impact veteran voices like Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Santana had on the team last year.
In the cases of New York, Cincinnati, and Toronto, there seems to be a potential need for more left-handed balance in their lineups. However, Tony Kemp’s fit may not be as straightforward, as all three teams already have considerable depth in second base and left field options. Kemp’s experience could come into play as a reliable and proven option, particularly if the Reds’ promising young infielders need additional minor league seasoning or if the Yankees are seeking depth in case Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza face challenges in their plate development.
