Kemp grateful for second chance with Dodgers
During his first tenure, he reached two All-Star teams and finished as an MVP runner-up
Matt Kemp cradled a baseball cap in his hands. The colour was the same, the blue he had worn in the Dodger Stadium outfield for nine years. Only the logo was unfamiliar, a “D” stitched where “LA” used to be, a spring marketing ploy showing the passage of time. Kemp traced his thumb across the lettering.
“It’s a little different, man,” Kemp said to a small group standing near his locker. “How you like it?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, I just work here, man.”
That reality could not be ignored as pitchers and catchers — along with a few position players — reported to Camelback Ranch on Tuesday morning. It felt remote even after the Dodgers reacquired him in December. Yet here Kemp stood. He looked fit, 40 pounds lighter than the bloated figure he displayed during his final days as an Atlanta Brave. He sounded ebullient, grateful for even his remote chance of breaking camp as a Dodger again.
For a team returning the overwhelming majority of a pennant-winning roster, the presence of Kemp serves as this spring’s most intriguing storyline. During his first tenure as a Dodger, he reached two AllStar teams and finished as an MVP runner-up. The prospect of a revival in Los Angeles delighted him.
“I’ve got a whole new outlook on life,” Kemp said. “I’m having fun. I’m going to have fun and ride this thing until the wheels fall off. Literally.”
Negative influence
Kemp, 33, stressed the wisdom of his years and his passion for Los Angeles. He expressed his gratitude about returning to the Dodgers after being traded away following the 2014 season. He clarified his implicit criticism about the city not being a “baseball town.” He disputed reports emerging about his negative influence on the Braves’ clubhouse. He insisted upon his viability for a championship contender. “I’ve got a lot left in me,” he said.
Yet the Dodgers did not acquire Kemp with the intention of playing him in left field. His value arose from his contract. In return for Kemp, the Dodgers sent a four-player package that included Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy to Atlanta.
The motivation was financial. Kemp understood the score. The move still stunned him. He was dining with some friends in December when he received a call from his agent, Larry Reynolds. Reynolds informed Kemp he had been traded. “Where?” Kemp asked. Reynolds started to laugh as he passed along the destination. “Stop lying,” Kemp said. The truth made his head swim. Soon after, he heard from Dodgers officials. The team could not promise him much. They were actively looking to move his contract, for which he will receive $43 million over the next two seasons. Kemp would be a Dodger until the team could find him another home.