Tony Kemp, the former second baseman for the Oakland Athletics, has been released by the Cincinnati Reds. Kemp joined the Reds on a minor league contract earlier in the offseason and had been participating in the team’s major league camp for the past few weeks.
During his time with the Reds, Kemp had been performing decently, recording a batting line of .333/.391/.619 with one home run and five runs batted in over eight games. He had also maintained good discipline at the plate, with just four strikeouts and two walks.
However, the primary issue for Kemp was the surplus of infielders on the Reds’ roster. Despite the absence of third base prospect Noelvi Marte, who was facing an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test, the team’s infield was already crowded. This made Kemp’s chances of making the opening day roster slim.
The Reds recently acquired Jeimer Candelario, who had a standout season with the Nationals and Cubs. Additionally, there were several promising infield prospects like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McClain, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Jonathan India competing for playing time.
With a packed infield and outfield, the Reds felt Kemp didn’t align with their current needs, despite his positive contributions as a teammate.
There’s optimism that Kemp may find a new opportunity with another team before the start of the season. Several teams, such as the Dodgers, are facing uncertainties in their middle infield positions, while others like the White Sox may lack depth in their lineup.
Kemp has proven himself as a dependable player during his time with the Athletics, and his character off the field is highly regarded. Hopefully, he’ll find a team that values his skills and contributions, allowing him to continue his career successfully.