The Orioles announced that they have signed infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp to a major league contract, with infielder/outfielder Nick Maton designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Kemp will make a salary of $1MM, per Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, a bit north of this year’s $740K league minimum.
Kemp, 32, is coming off a decent stretch with the A’s over the past four years. His 11.7% strikeout rate was quite low and he drew walks at a solid 10.5% clip. He didn’t provide much thump when putting the bat on the ball, as he hit just 20 home run in his 1,488 plate appearances in that time. But his .240/.330/.345 batting line was still close to average, translating to a 97 wRC+.
Unfortunately, the most recent season of those four was the worst, as he hit just .209/.303/.304 in 2023. He settled for a minor league deal with the Reds this winter and had a nice spring, slashing .333/.391/.619, though in a tiny sample of 23 plate appearances. Despite that good form, he wasn’t going to make the roster of a Reds club that has a fairly crowded position player mix, so he returned to the open market. He had an opt-out on his minor league deal and he either triggered it or the Reds simply let him go to explore other opportunities.
The Orioles are also loaded with position player talent but will find a way to squeeze Kemp in somehow. They seem to have opted to get some of their talented youngsters more playing time at the Triple-A level, with guys like Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Kyle Stowers and Heston Kjerstad all being optioned or reassigned last week.
While those guys are getting regular playing time on the farm, Kemp will take on a multi-positional bench role with the major league club. He’s not really an option at shortstop, with just two career innings there, but he has plenty of experience at second base and left field.
Kemp has fairly neutral platoon splits in his career, 100 wRC+ versus lefties and 93 against righties, but Ramón Urías and Jordan Westburg are both right-handed. Since Urías and Westburg will likely be covering second and third base in some combination, Kemp can provide a lefty-swinging complement. Left fielder Austin Hays and first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle are also right-handed, which perhaps provides another path for Kemp to factor into the club’s plans.
He also had double-digit stolen bases in each of the past two years, which could allow him to serve as a pinch-runner at times. His left field defense has been considered around league average though the metrics are split on his work at the keystone, with seven Outs Above Average but -17 Defensive Runs Saved.
The O’s were seemingly deciding between Tyler Nevin and Nick Maton for a bench/utility role, as both are out of options and were acquired from the Tigers in separate cash deals this offseason. Nevin hit .333/.367/.474 this spring while Maton hit just .000/.207/.000.
That poor performance has seemingly cost Maton his roster spot. The O’s will now have a week to trade him or try to pass him through waivers. He has struggled in the majors, with a .208/.306/.361 batting line thus far, but he’s naturally been better in the minors. He’s hit .274/.383/.440 on the farm over the past two years for a 118 wRC+ while spending time at all four infield positions and the outfield corners.
That could lead to him finding some interest from other clubs, but since he’s out of options and the season is about to begin, he might get squeezed by the fact that many clubs are making tough roster cuts right now. If he were to pass through waivers unclaimed, he would stick with the O’s as non-roster depth.
What remains to be seen is exactly how Baltimore will structure its bench before Opening Day. James McCann will have one spot as a backup catcher, with Kemp and Jorge Mateo serving as infield/outfield pieces. That leaves just one spot for Nevin or Colton Cowser, the latter of whom is still optionable.
Nick Maton future Yankee?
More like Nick Maton, future Kiwoom Heroe of KBO.
Possibly
He did go 0-23 in spring, so that checks out yeah.
I was going to say…”hit just .000″ in the spring. Can you say “hit just” at that point???
You could say he didn’t hit.
That is Bucky LaGrange territory, and we all know he hasn’t gotten a hit in…..forever.
Guessing he’s going to play 2B? If not, why not just promote Kjerstad or Stowers?
Kemp is a utility player who sits on the bench and can play infield and outfield. He’s a veteran.
Stowers doesn’t play the infield. Kjerstad would need to play everyday.
Interesting. A $1 million version of last year’s $8 million Adam Frazier?
Orioles love themselves some veteran leadership
Won’t be on the roster at all star break.
How on God’s Green Earth is Tony Kemp better than Ryan McKenna?
Under what set of circumstances is this the case?
Kemp is a utility guy who can steal bases. McKenna is purely an outfielder, I think. Cowser is the perceived upgrade over McKenna. Kemp also played in Oakland (very pitcher friendly), and has better numbers outside of Oakland.
Also, I believe this move would mean they liked Kemp for the bench spot more than Tyler Nevin. Bench is now Cowser, Mateo, and Kemp. That’s not bad.
Well it is not good either
Benches aren’t supposed to be “good”
If a player is good, they wouldn’t sit on the bench in the first place
@Lefty
Kemp’s definitely got a better contact skill than McKenna. In a game in extras where all we need is a ball in play to the outfield to win…give me Kemp any day over McKenna.
Given the major league deal, they have to see something in the underlying numbers that they think they can glean out of him.
McKenna swings and misses an awful lot.
Well, Kemp is no bargain either!!!
I still don’t buy it and Kemp’s defense is nowhere near McKenna
McKenna strikes out 33% of at bats, Kemp 13%
McKenna plays outfield only.
They don’t need either. The Os are stuck with their old losing mindset. No more .200 hitters who maybe play good defense and are nice in the clubhouse. They have Norby, Mayo, Jackson just to name a few who appear to be legit hitters. Why not give them a chance? No more washed up trash.
Looks like they’re going with a roster strategy that won them 101 games last year. Do I wanna watch Kemp, I guess this year’s version of Adam Frazier, instead of the young guns in waiting? No, No and No. Frustrating. Let the kids play!
Bench guys need to be fine with being on the bench. Top prospects need at bats. I’ll be fine with Mayo, except he needs more than 5 PA a week.
Holliday, Mayo, Norby, Kjerstad, and company are better than both of them.
He’s not. Both are equally adept at occupying space.
Good for Kemp!
And bad for the Orioles
Nice to see Kemp get a guaranteed major league contract. I hope he can do well in Baltimore.
Put down the bong and put down the hemp. Oreos have just signed Tony Kemp.
I joked a couple of weeks ago about how Mike Elias‘s playbook has a requirement that there must always be a washed up veteran on the roster, and by golly, it appears to be true!
But why Kemp instead of Kolten Wong? Wong is better, especially on defense.
Wong question. Wong answer.
A fair question. My guess from taking a glance at the underlying contact numbers…I think they think Kemp might work out for them better in the pinch spots. Dude had rough numbers last year but his overall numbers lead to believe he’s got a lot of plate discipline.
They might straight up tell him “Alright man, you basically live in the batting cage now.” and look to get him locked in and deploy him when they need a clutch at-bat.
Tie-game at home with a runner on third and less than two out and we’ve got the bottom of the order coming up? I feel pretty good about Kemp getting a pinch hit AB there.
Just doubled checked myself to be sure, Kemp’s “RISP/2 outs” and high leverage stats are both considerably better than his overall numbers.
They have to see him as a “just put it in play” type pinch hitter. If he clutches up a walk-off or two in the pinch and gives them some solid back-up starts to give the regulars rest days…will be money well spent.
Between Wong’s numbers last year, his spring training, and the comments he made when he opted out, he was not a good fit for the O’s clubhouse, Kemp has ties with Elias, makes contact, plays multiple positions, hustles, and provides positive veteran leadership. He checks off all the boxes you’d want in a bench/rotation player.
The Orioles would sign me to play 2B before they would ever call up Jackson Holliday before super 2 status
“Would sign me”..Holliday has 18(I believe)at bats above AA. There was a time, not that long ago, that guys expected to spend YEARS in the Minor leagues, so I believe Holliday will be OK with a few extra weeks in AAA. His Orioles team did manage to win 100+ games last year without him. And last time I checked, you were not on the Orioles radar.
18 games – 75 at bats
Uh no, great prospects like Holliday rarely spend YEARS in the minors. They blow through the minors quickly and then become stars, like Bryce Harper, who only played 139 games before being promoted.
Manny Machado. 0 AB in AAA. Came up just after turning 20.
He then hit below league average that year. But our other 3B option was Wilson Betemit…. MM also had an elite glove already. Something Jax doesn’t fall back on.
Ramón Urías, Jordan Westburg, and Gunnar Henderson are quite a bit better. Jax might spend more than a few weeks in AAA if he hasn’t mastered upper level LHP’s that quickly.
Unlikely, but it wouldn’t absolutely shock me if Norby or Mayo managed to get the call first.
Machado was brought up for his defense; the Orioles had a desperate need. Holliday needs a lot of work to be a MLB 2B; he is defensively weak fundamentally.
Your phone is ringing…
They literally already told Cowser he’s made the team.
Sure, but when they said that they didn’t know they’d have a once in a lifetime opportunity to grab Tony Kemp.
If a guy is going to sit several times a week, most teams prefer it be a seasoned veteran(who’s used to not playing)and not a young and up and coming player.
@Bill, This made me lol. Good job
@U
I could see that too. This is one where it’s not a terrible signing by any means but also doesn’t jump out like “yeah, this clearly addresses an area of need.”
That thinking could easily change if some middle IF types head out in a trade.
Yep, Os close to moving a high end prospect or 2 for some league level pitching?
Might as well trade the prospects since they don’t want to promote them
Kemp apparently is considered a good team-first guy; he offers a decent defensive glove at 2nd & OF, and will face LHP when it’s suitable. Trust in Hyde – Holliday will get his chance soon enough.
Probably in a few short weeks.
Kemp getting out of Oakland and finding his way to a World Series contender is the work of the Illuminati
The truth is Tony Kemp is not a very good player. Also truth, Tony Kemp is a very good person and good influence on the younger players. Maybe that’s what they felt like they needed.
The Os entire starting outfield are “veteran” players. They don’t need a veteran .200 hitter for clubhouse laughs.
Last year, I would have also put money down on Ryan O’Hearn being a waste of meal money, but he was important in last year’s 101 wins. I’m filing Kemp under “incremental improvements” I suppose. Front office hasn’t made a Glenn Davis kind of blunder yet so, I’m ok with the wait and see approach.
Not like they can’t jettison Kemp in a moment’s notice once the wait ends and they can sign Rich Hill. Once he starts collecting Social Security that will offset his league minimum salary, there’s some value there. lol
No. Ohearn was there because they didn’t have a clear cut first baseman at the time. And Ohearn had a Great spring training last year. Kemp is trash
Print the playof—-
Oh, yeah.
Good signing. Kemp’s “hugs for homers” schtick in the dugout alone is worth $1M.
Kemp is the new Frazier who was the new Odor.
Elias loves his washed up lefty hitting 2Bs lol.
Kemp is a great pick up at that price. Would have been an outstanding replacement for Pablo Reyes on the Red Sox. It’s almost like players would rather play for the Orioles
Absolute nonsensical move. Don’t tell me we need a “left hander” who bats .200. Shouldn’t matter what side of the plate you hit if you can hit….hello Norby and hello Holliday.
Anything to keep the prospects down in the minors. It’s just another reason baseball loses popularity to the other sports.
Don’t understand this one. Tony Kemp has no business being on this roster.
No he does not.
Ugggghhhhhhh….
Is someone hurt? Is there a trade coming of the other space occupier? (Mateo).
Just when I gave credit for not keeping space occupier Ryan McKenna they go out and obtain another one!
So Kemp can play 2B and LF, but he can’t hit. The Orioles already have Westburg, Urias, and Holliday who can play 2B…AND hit. Holliday should be on the club right now, but I get they have to manipulate another year of service time. They already have Hays and Cowser who can both play LF and hit. And they already have Mateo who can apparently be a backup at both positions and not be able to hit.
If I’m Stowers, stuck in AAA yet again – what’s the guy got to do when the Orioles send him down and get this guy?
The only thing that make sense to me is continuing the long tradition of having a useless infielder take up a spot on a good team: Lenn Sakata, Juan Bell, Tim Hulett, Jeff Huson, Manny Alexander, Ryan Flaherty, Roughned Odor, Adam Frazier (well at least Kemp isn’t costing 8 million) and Jorge Mateo.
Either that or it was a replay of this 1996 conversation:
Executive 1: “We have to get SOMEBODY!”
Executive 2: “I know! Let’s get Luis Polonia!”
Executive 1: “He’s somebody. Done.”
I’m not digging this move. Not sure why Orioles want a guy the As didnt.
I don’t know what happened to Nick Maton.. I thought the Tigers got a decent return from Philly in the Gregory Soto trade but he couldn’t hit anything last year and obviously this spring. Perhaps he should go back to Philadelphia. Maybe he can find his swing again.
We love us some Tonney Kemps down here in B’mo. Memories of Boog Powell and Brooksy and dem Oreos