Matt Kemp stated last February that he was hoping to add four or five more seasons onto his career, and with the 2020 campaign and Kemp’s 15th MLB season now in the books, nothing has changed about his future plans. “That’s always been one of my goals, is to at least play until I was 40 years old,” Kemp said in an interview on the Power Alley show on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM. Kemp is still focused on capturing that elusive World Series ring, and “as long as I can continue to help a team win and do some great things in the game of baseball, I’m going to continue to do this thing until I can’t do it any more.”
The 36-year-old Kemp was an All-Star as recently as 2018, though he endured an injury-shortened 2019 season that led to minor league deals in 2020 with both the Marlins and Rockies, the latter coming in June. Kemp hit .239/.326/.419 with six homers over 132 plate appearances for Colorado, working primarily as a DH and pinch-hitter and only playing left field in one of his 43 games. It remains to be seen if the Rockies or another team will give Kemp another chance at extending his career, though his prospects at another contract would definitely get a boost if the National League fully adopts the designated hitter.
More from around the NL…
- Shortstop was a big problem area for the Reds last season, and since Jose Garcia struggled badly during over 68 PA in his rookie season, he looks to still be a season or two away from being a big league contributor. C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic (subscription required) looks at some of the possibilities available to the Reds on the offseason shortstop market, though it remains to be seen if Cincinnati will have the payroll flexibility to pursue top free agents like Didi Gregorius or Marcus Semien. Rosecrans also notes that the Reds have also scouted Ha-Seong Kim of the Korea Baseball Organization, who wouldn’t necessarily carry quite as large a price tag, though several teams are expected to check into Kim’s services when he is posted.
- Speaking of international talent, Dominican right-hander Jarlin Susana is an intriguing (and unattached) prospect heading into the January 15 international signing period. Baseball America’s Ben Badler has more on the 16-year-old Susana, who is 6’5″, 195 pounds, and hit 96mph during a showcase for scouts earlier this week. Susana also has “a sharp breaking ball” along with that fastball, which usually clocks in the “the low-to-mid 90s.” Many of the top prospects in the 2020-21 international class have already unofficially agreed to deals with teams, though Susana isn’t yet linked to anyone, making him an interesting option for clubs with available bonus pool space. The Mets and Dodgers were among the teams who had evaluators in attendance at Susana’s showcase.
Cohen wants to increases spending on International prospects. Susana would be a perfect start
I guarantee Cohen is gonna increase spending in all places this off-season. I think the new owner is gonna prioritize being competitive every year
We said the same thing in Chicago when the Ricketts family took over. They increased spending the first couple years but it was all on the development side of the house since it was an absolute train wreck.
But Cohen is worth like 10+ more billion than them.
Spending on amateur international talent is restricted by the spending pools assigned to each team by the commissioner’s office.
Yes Ik that. But hopefully Cohen spends every last penny
But there is also spending on international scouting and development. That stuff is pretty useful. Everyone knows the $1M guys, but not everyone knows a lot about the $100k guys.
Spending on talent is restricted, I said they spend on development (scouting, coaching, video cameras, computers, cars, a baseball academy in the DR etc.)
One thing seems to be ignored is that these signings are based on pool money. If a team with more pool money than the Mets want the kid, unless he’s taking less, he will sign elsewhere.
But I’m sure there will be a homer that says that everyone wants to play with the Mets in NY, so they’ll make the exception and play for less money…because that’s what athletes do.
Come on MetsFan, are you going to put up with this? Lol!
I used the term “homer”. Why is it that anytime anyone refers to a Mets homer, they automatically assume that the reference is to MetsFan22?
Ah shucks…I can’t even say that that without laughing. It’s clear that MetsFan22’s reputation is well known on these boards, especially amongst fans of rival NL East teams.
That has got to be the dumbest comment I’ve read on here since that dummy MikeYank was spewing his hate. I’ve never heard one Mets fan say anything even close to that. Hitting the bong tonight? That’s a Yankees fan rap
You act like marlinsFanBase’s Rep isn’t also well known. Keep smoking
So, andremets, how’d this season go for you and MetsFan22? Haven’t seen either of you on very much after that rough start that was still better than that finish.
LA should bring Kemp back for the minimum and let him finish his career where he started. DH off the bench, if needed.
They’ve no real use for him whatsoever
They could sign him and trade him to Cincy again for some of their prospects.
Remember LA took Homer in that trade, that was a wash for Reds, thank you
I don’t think LA can afford to “waste” a roster space on Kemp to be honest.
Kemp should just stay in Colorado. No chance the Dodgers accept him back. He doesn’t fit with them at all.
You finished your statement with “if needed” but he isn’t needed. It would be a complete PR move that I don’t think would work because I don’t get the impression that Dodger fans feel any particular affinity for him as a whole. Kemp isn’t loved by Dodger fans the way Cardinal fans love Molina or the way Giant fans love Buster Posy.
good on Kemp. i hope he can keep going for years to come.
I don’t know anything about Korean baseball, other than it’s supposed to be very hitter friendly, but I’m intrigued by Kim. Kim posted some seriously impressive numbers in the Korean League and as a Cubs fan, I don’t care if his power translates to MLB if his batting average does. Defensively he appears to be a concern but the age, batting average, walks and speed all are very tempting.
I keep hearing “Kim won’t carry much of a price tag” and “numerous teams are interested.
The two thoughts seem to counter each other.
My guess is Ricketts will spend around $160 on payroll, but I’m not confident on the number, nor am I sure if that would include the Lester/Descalso buyouts.
There is going to be a lot of interest in LaStella but he isn’t going to carry much of a price tag either…. Just because there is a lot of interest it doesn’t mean teams are going to break the bank on him.
My guess, he will get around 8-10 million per plus the posting fee.
Wow, so low?
Actually that may be high, I’m thinking he will carry a similar price tag as Kang which was around 3 million per adjusted for inflation, age and premium position 5-8 million per.
Kang was a good player before he got stupid with his alcoholism which also may boost Kim’s dollar amount some.
Ha-Seong Kim Maybe a great option for the Yankees
If the NL keeps the DH than Kemp will certainly get a chance somewhere, if not he was learning how to play 1B in Marlins camp. For AL teams with DH at bats to give looking for an inexpensive option (Mariners, Rangers, maybe Blue Jays) Kemp could be a good fit
There are plenty of other choices out there if you’re looking for a DH only guy. No need to go with a 37 year old. And he doesn’t have the bat for first base. The only thing he has over a hundred other guys is name recognition. We go through this every time a washed up has been who can’t play the field anymore has their name dropped in an article. No one needs a no field- lucky to hit league average player just cuz he used to be good.
Kemp didn’t even hit well in Coors Field. I know this was a strange year and all but he looks kind of done. If he insists on continuing I could see him getting a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
I thought Kemp was on the Mets’ triple A team at one point in the last year or so and that we didn’t even bother to call him up cause he was toast.
Reds should sign profar
Oh and clean house of every position of leadership in the whole organization
Reds should go hard after Simmons. He has a contact style at plate and glove will help with Suarez and moose around him.
I agree w that. Prob is reds manager requires his hitters to try to hit it 450 every swing. So new management first. Simmons 2nd
If the Reds are looking for a SS, the Mets have 3 on the major league level. The Reds would probably have to part with a pitcher and a prospect.
If the Reds sign a big name FA this off-season, it will be for at least 4 years or longer to sign one of them. What would that do to Garcia? To me, that is a sign that they are moving on from him or going to groom him at another position. With the reds, I don’t try to understand what they do anymore.
I would personally LOVE to see Didi back in a Reds uni..numbers should be reasonable at this point..A few years of him, as an everyday SS, should be all that is needed to figure out what the hell the deal is with Garcia..
Have no idea what kind of market Semien will find. His 2019 is a complete outlier, and now he’s coming off a very bad season. Is any team going to bet heavy in him? He might be best going the Gregorius route, take a one year deal, show 2019 wasn’t a fluke, and re-enter the market after 2021.
What are the odds that a 16 year old “…throwing 96 with a sharp breaking ball…” is going to have Tommy John surgery and be a non factor before the year 2030?
Honestly, how pitchers have much of an impact before their age 23 season? That’s 7 years away at best. I hope the Mets aren’t committing too much $$ on this kid when they truly need a 2, 3, 4 and 5 going into next season.
Kemp should be able to find some town hard ball leagues to play in