(Extremely) Quick Reaction to Matt Kemp
I wanted very much to hate the Matt Kemp trade, but I am finding it hard to do so because of some of the following observations:
About Kemp:
— Kemp is a career 292/349/495 hitter. Instantly the best on the Padres.
— Kemp was 2nd in MVP voting in 2011
— After dealing with injuries in the first half of 2014, Kemp went 309/365/606 after the ASG
— Kemp can play any outfield position, we may have seen the last of Alexi Amarista in CF
— An outfield of Kemp – Maybin – Venable would be an elite-level defensive OF
— Petco is a fly ball park, a good place for an elite defensive OF
— Kemp is 30 years old, usually considered the prime of a baseball career
— Carlos Quentin (if he plays at all) can now take on a part-time player role and perhaps make it to the end of a 70-game season
About Grandal:
— Grandal is a career 245/350/412 hitter (including a 225 BA last year)
— Padres pitchers asked to work with Rene Rivera behind the plate (Grandal started 62 games at C)
— It is still unknown how much of Grandal’s early success was chemically enhanced
— Grandal allowed 12 passed balls in those 62 games, to lead the NL
— Let me repeat that: playing in 38% of possible games, Grandal managed to lead the league in passed balls
— Which leads me to believe: Grandal is not a catcher, he is a first baseman playing catcher
I want to hate this trade. I have never liked Matt Kemp and his Rhianna-dating, male-modeling, LA-style ways. But, just looking at the baseball side of things it seems appealing. I am, however, withholding judgement until I see what else goes on this offseason.
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