The Astros will designate second baseman/outfielder Tony Kemp for assignment tomorrow in order to open a roster spot for Carlos Correa, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic tweets. Correa is set to return from the 60-day injured list after missing two months due to a broke rib.
Entering the season, the roster status of Kemp and Tyler White were both in question. Both players are out of minor league options and were rumored to be possible trade candidates as a result, but Houston opted to carry each on the roster for the first two thirds of the season. White, however, was designated for assignment recently and is reportedly headed to the Dodgers in a trade. Kemp, too, will lose his roster spot and now seems a logical candidate to be included in a trade for pitching help in the next six days.
Kemp, 27, has turned in a .227/.308/.417 batting line with seven homers, six doubles, two triples and four stolen bases in 186 trips to the plate so far in 2019. He’s a relatively high-contact hitter (career 16 percent strikeout rate) with a bit of speed and pop who is capable of handling second base and left field. His lack of minor league options may limit his appeal among some contending clubs, but the fact that he’s controlled for another four seasons will surely hold appeal to rebuilding clubs. It’s also possible that a contending team such as the Cubs, who are looking for a contact-oriented bat and recently optioned Addison Russell, could be intrigued by Kemp’s skill set.
The decision to cut ties with Kemp is seemingly a vote of confidence in the younger Myles Straw, who can occupy a similar role with a similar skill set moving forward. Straw has batted .256/.376/.321 in 94 plate appearances with the Astros this season and is capable of playing shortstop, second base or the outfield. Unlike Kemp, he also has minor league options remaining, which gives the Astros some additional roster fluidity down the stretch. Houston’s ability to manipulate its roster has been somewhat limited this season by virtue of carrying a pair of out-of-options players, but that won’t be the case any longer.
The return of Correa, of course, is a major boon to a lineup that already ranks as one of the game’s most fearsome. The former No. 1 overall draft pick was excelling to the tune of a .295/.360/.547 batting line and 11 home runs through 214 plate appearances at the time he suffered one of the most bizarre injuries of any player in recent memory. Correa sustained a broken rib while receiving a massage at his home, and the injury ultimately cost him 50 games of his season.
I didn’t wanna cry this morning. But here we are. Crine
I don’t understand this move, Myles Straw still has options and Kemp could have been used in a trade. Now they will lose him for nothing.
Because he’d be a throw in for anyone that would actually make the Astros better. Y’all need a first baseman, unless you rely on Diaz, two starters and a reliever. Unless you’re the A’s and you’re okay with trying to make mediocrity better you’re probably not looking at tier 3 talent to trade, and that’s what Kemp gets you.
The Astros do not “need” a first baseman. Yuli plays first, Altuve second, Correa short (until he gets another massage) and Bregman third with Diaz backing up all 4. They need another starter.
I will miss Kemp, loved that guy.
We no longer need a first baseman. Gurriel is on fire with 15 home runs in his last 25 games. Bringing his OPS into the .850’s. He’s great at the moment, in my opinion.
This team does not “need” two starting pitchers. The goal is success in October, and teams have been fine with 4 SP’s for at least a decade or so for now. As it stands today, a 4-man group of Verlander, Cole, Miley, and Peacock is the class of MLB. A fifth starter to replace Peacock would be a luxury.
I agree this team needs another reliever – IMO they need two to replace Devenski and Rondon. A left-hander or two would be ideal.
I am not confident in DIaz or Gurriel to man first base, or a combination of Chirinos/Stassi as the catching options, but this team won the WS with a lesser sum than the current roster construction. They should be fine and I trust JL to make the right moves.
Agree that this team does not need two starting pitchers. They need one preferably with some control with Cole leaving in the offseason. Who knows if Peacock will be healthy the rest of the season. I personally am ok with throwing the kids out there and giving them some experience and see if any can stick.
Would love to upgrade catcher but that will be difficult to do. I like Yuli at first, his bat is playable and he plays a good first base. I do not believe there will be a bat out there that is worth paying the prospect penalty that would be a substantial enough of an upgrade over Yuli.
A few months ago I’d agree with you on the 1B issue, but if Yuli is holding his own right now and been one of the best hitters in the league the last month or so.
They still have 7 days to make a deal. And we have 6 days until the deadline
If you option Straw, that only affects the 25-man roster. It would not open the necessary spot on the 40-man that designating Kemp will.
Straw has been much more productive than Kemp and they needed the 25 man space to activate Correa. Straw is a much more exciting player than Kemp. The Astros already had an open space on the 40-man, so that was not needed. Kemp is great guy, but his niche is more with a rebuilding team than with a contender. I wish him the best wherever he ends up. He is a great dugout and clubhouse guy to have around.
They can still put Kemp in a trade. Every team in the league knew he’s out of options, and the Astros have assuredly been shopping him so it’s no secret he’s available. This just gives them the roster spot sooner.
I’d be surprised if Kemp didn’t even up as part of a larger trade between now and the deadline.
Kemp is a kickass clubhouse guy and teammate
But he has no on field skill that is unique. Anything that he can do multiple players on the team can do just as well.
With Alvarez and Brantley on the team this year, his left handed bat isn’t even needed.
Straw is a game changer on the bases. Sooner or later his legs will be the difference in a crucial win.
The orioles need to claim Kemp. He could be a nice piece for them especially once they trade Villar
I agree, he needs to go somewhere and play everyday. Always blocked by Altuve.
He won’t make it to waivers.
Just like Tyler White, someone will trade a mid-level prospect who is a couple of years away for him before the 7 days is up
This one hurts my heart
I like Kemp a lot and would miss him very much. He’s a pesky , good platoon guy.
Kemp can play 2B for multiple teams in the league. Someone’s going to pick him up (especially seeing that the Dodgers traded a non-corpse for Tyler White).
Cubs, Giants this is for you.
Cubs have enough .220 hitters with .300obp
Really sad to hear, Kemp is a favorite of the Astros fanbase.
Really hoped we could keep him, guess were a victim of our own success.
Best wishes to Tony, whoever gets him is getting a class guy, a good player and a fan favorite.
Yankees should move on Kemp
Where is he gonna play?
Tony Kemp at the plate always looks like he’s so far away
Next move: Obtain a catcher and DFA Stassi. Much like White, Stassi isn’t hitting his weight. Being an all glove type player, though, his bat only allows him to play about every 5th day and with Chirinos slumping at the plate we need a catcher that can hit at least as well as Chirinos to fill in more often.
No, we don’t need to trade Stassi. Your back up catcher absolutely does not need to be any kind of offensive force. He needs to be a guy who can handle the pitchers and give you some sort of value. Stassi does that and more. You can’t put Chirinos’ offensive failure on him.
Tigers need to claim Kemp. They should have dibs, because they have to worst record. He is much better than anything we have at second. Castro is hitting way over his head. Tigers could DFA 5 players worse than Kemp, easily.
“Tigers could DFA 5 players worse than Kemp, easily.” I say 15.
Kemp has not been put on waivers. He is available in a trade
Kemp’s inconsistent play was the final Straw.
I wouldn’t mind the Red Sox taking a chance on him.
“Massage”
Claim him, Mariners.
If the Astros could get anyone for White, they will get someone for Kemp…. not surprised White was traded for a guy named Scrub.
Who’s having a surprisingly good season at AA.
Maybe the Dodgers have another Scrubb they can deal for Kemp.
Kemp, Rodgers, Fisher for Greene, Boyd, and Nick C
Avila laughs and hangs up. Astros would have to include Tucker to make that deal even considerable. Additionally, the Astros don’t have much need for Castellanos. We have too many OF guys now, Alvarez is destroying at DH, and Gurriel is perfectly fine at 1B.
Boyd is not worth Tucker
I agree, however Boyd, Greene, and Castellanos are worth Tucker. Or maybe bring in a 3rd team that lands Castellanos and nets the Astros a decent catcher.
The Royals need to jump on this like buzzards on a carcass…
I am excited to see what the Astros get for Kemp. Maybe he is part of the trade for an SP.
Really sorry to see Kemp DFA. He’s a good player, nice fielding 2nd baseman, can play the outfield, hits line drives, but also has some pop for a small guy. I think he’ll be an every day type player for someone. Hopefully he’ll be packaged in a deal for a starting pitcher.
Something appears to be going on behind the scenes. Kemp being DFAd leaves no LH hitters on the bench. Three good ones in Brantley, Alvarez, and Reddick, but they start. Since White got DFAd, they have also moved Kyle Tucker a LH hitter to 1B in AAA. Could Tucker become the LH bat on the bench, while also playing some OF, and 1B?
Probably not going to happen, but I’d like to see the A’s get Kemp. Barreto has given us next to nothing at the dish so far–Kemp would be nice insurance for 2b, LF, and CF on days where Laureano could use a rest.