The Mets have released outfielder Matt Kemp, according to the International League transactions page. He had been with the organization on a minors deal.
Kemp, 34, only took 36 plate appearances in eight games with the Mets’ top affiliate. He turned in an unremarkable .235/.278/.324 slash there and obviously was not viewed as a candidate to ascend to the MLB roster. Before that, he struggled to a .200/.210/.283 batting line in 62 major-league plate appearances with the Reds.
A broken rib limited Kemp earlier this season. That seems also to be the cause for his unavailability at Triple-A Syracuse. If he’s able to get back to health, it seems likely that some other organization will take a shot on a minors deal. Kemp did pop 21 long balls and carry a 122 wRC+ in over five hundred trips to the plate with the Dodgers in 2018. That said, the former star’s long-term outlook in the game is obviously in doubt.
rxbrgr
He’s outplayed Tebow!
dresman92
Lol
jeffweissbuch
you beat me to it lmao
Jared Buck
Time for Kemp to hang it up.
Chris
He’s had one hell of a career. To actually work his way back to the Dodgers last year was simply amazing.
ElMagoN9ne
He should’ve done that after he was traded to the reds
gmenfan
If this is the end for Kemp, $171M is nothing to sneeze at.
TeddyBallgameYazJimEd
Exactly…and last year still put up
.290 21hr 85rbi… not too bad..
mlb1225
91 RBI’s is pretty easy to come by if you’re on the Dodgers.
drock2722
He was Mike Trout right as Trout came up. If you look at 2011 ( 1 homerun from 40-40 club), and up until he wrecked his shoulder crashing into the wall at Coors he was just starting his reign as best player in baseball. Sadly injuries really hampered his career.
rct
That’s crazy talk. 2011 was his best season by a mile and it would be among Trout’s worst.
DarkSide830
as good as trout is, that season was actually better then anything Trout has produced. nothing beats 40-40. that’s a truely special standard, especially when you’re not juicing (presumably) like half of the others to do it.
Irishblade
Bruh. Matt Kemp was good. Mike Trout possibly the best ever. Every season Trout has played has been better than ANY season Kemp played, including 2011. I don’t know if you’re going with a hot take here but this ain’t it fam.
iamhector24
“Nothing beats 40-40”
Dumb comment of the day.
GareBear
By measure of WRC+ which only accounts for offense: Kemp’s near 40-40 season accounted for a 172 WRC+ whereas Trout’s two “worst” season’s tie at 168 with his next worse being at…wait for it…172. Not taking sides just sharing some numbers to think about
yamsi1912
Trout is the God of WAR
bencole
Matt Kemp was on the Mets??
LosPobres1904
Was thinking the same thing
Jean Matrac
Cue some bozo linking him to the Giants.
SFGiants74
So that is why so many dogs howl when these posts go up.
SecsSeksSecks
He is gonna sign with the Giants.
SFGiants74
Why would the Giants want to sign him?
Dogbone
No, boo. This is a perrrrrfect guy for the White Sox to pick up. Because he’d be so cheap.
uncle mike
The Cardinals will take Kemp. He’s hitting better than Carpenter.
SFGiants74
Carpenter has been on the IL. Why get rid of him?
Nick Stevens
Carpenter is back. He had 2 more strikeouts last night. Back in form.
nypadre66
He’s played the outfield like he’s been in a rocking chair for a few years now….now he can just sit on his posterior at home.
ronnyalton
AL is going to knock on his door. I think he could still be a decent DH.
luclusciano
Not even a picture of him in a mets uniform?
cgallant
Somehow I see the Rays taking a flyer on him.
kingsfan1968
Kemp had some great years, but now he has to be a DH to keep playing.
YakAttack
He got to date Rhianna.
tywager
HOF on that on that.
jorge78
I didn’t know the Mets had signed him!
mack22 2
A great ball player in his time,
drewa
Maybe a bench bat?
Oh yeah!
Beautiful move for the Braves. Release Kemp and his contact just as his downfall begins.
iamhector24