Tony

Kemp

Kemp announced his retirement on social media. The 33-year-old was a nine-year MLB veteran with a career .237/.324/.351 slash line with 35 home runs and 53 steals in 739 games. He was a major part of the Oakland Athletics from 2021-2023, starting at least 124 games in each of those three seasons. He was also the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for four consecutive years.

The 32-year-old utilityman had latched on with the Reds on a minor league deal in early July. There, he hit .237/.338/.364 with three homers and 17 RBI over 139 plate appearances. He’s now free to latch on elsewhere if he so chooses.

Kemp heads to Triple-A Louisville as extra organizational outfield depth for Cincinnati, after spending time with the Twins and Orioles earlier this year in the minors. The 32-yea-old was a mainstay in Oakland’s outfield mix the last few years and has appeared in 739 contests in the big leagues dating back to 2016.

Kemp opted out of his deal with the Twins after hitting .279/.358/.436 in 46 games for Triple-A St Paul. His next organization will be his fourth since exiting Oakland as a free agent; he was let go by the Reds this spring and the Orioles in April.

The 32-year-old journeyman lands in Minnesota’s organization after he started the season with the Orioles. Kemp was released by Baltimore after the team called up top prospect Jackson Holliday and failed to record a hit in his five games this season. He’ll be a solid veteran presence and have an opportunity with the Twins given the injuries to their infield.

Kemp will wind up being the answer to a trivia question if top prospect Jackson Holliday goes on to greatness in Baltimore. The 32-year-old veteran lost his roster spot earlier this week when Holliday finally ascended to the majors. He’s free to pursue an opportunity elsewhere after declining an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. He shouldn’t have too much trouble latching on somewhere as a reserve outfielder and clubhouse presence.

To make room for Jackson Holliday, the Orioles removed Kemp from the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old infielder signed with Baltimore prior to the start of the regular season and primarily was at second base or pinch hitting for the O’s. In his five games with the Orioles, the veteran did not record a hit, but he could get picked up by a team that is in need for an experienced ball player.

One week after he was released by the Reds, Kemp now finds himself with a contending AL clubhouse. Kemp finished 7-for-21 (.333 AVG) in his eight spring games with the Reds and will add to an already explosive Orioles’ offense. The 32-year-old does not have any minor league options remaining so it will be interesting to see what the team plans to do with Tyler Nevin, who also doesn’t have any minor league options.

Kemp had an opt out in his deal with Cincinnati if he did not make the Reds Opening Day roster, so it appears the 32-year-old veteran is now a free agent. Kemp played in eight Spring Training games and went 7-for-21 (.333 AVG) with one home run and five RBI.

We already know Harrison has opted out of his contract and elected to become a free agent. At this time, it’s unclear if any of the others have chosen to do the same.