Why Atlanta Braves’ Trade for Matt Kemp Makes Sense
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves’ interest in Matt Kemp and his large contract caught most by surprise. A day later, the dust has settled. It has become a bit clearer why each respective side made the move it did.
The San Diego Padres are in full tear-down mode much like the Braves have been for the past two seasons. Ridding themselves of Matt Kemp‘s contract by taking on Hector Olivera‘s, only to DFA him, showed just how desperate they were to do so.
The Braves, on the flip side, need major league talent. They lack depth or security at almost every position. Matt Kemp is a declining right-handed power option that became attractive only by the prospect of ridding themselves of Hector Olivera. Olivera’s off-the-field distractions coupled with his lack of production made the Braves just as desperate to rid themselves of him without cutting him and calling it a loss altogether.
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Power is a commodity the Braves have little of. Matt Kemp’s contract may be overvalued for the player that he is. There is no denying, however, that of his diminishing skills his power has been the last to dissipate. Going into his first game as a Brave, Kemp has hit 23 homers this season while driving in 69. The Braves have one player who has reached 10 homers or more. Freddie Freeman has hit 18 homers this season, with the next closest player being Adonis Garcia with eight.
With that in mind, as well as the lack of depth or major league ready talent, the trade for Matt Kemp makes sense for the rebuilding Braves. Kemp will bring a right-handed power bat that the Braves are so sorely lacking on their team. He will also provide a solid bat to build around as the Braves move into their new stadium next season.
Not to say that the last-place Braves are ready to compete with Matt Kemp. Rather that this move signals a turn with the franchise in the type of players the front office is looking to acquire.
While there are a few one-year players the front office may look to move, they have been adamant they are ready to move to the next stage of their rebuild and become a postseason team once again. The move for Matt Kemp signals that the days of the Braves selling off their best players for prospects may well be over.