Atlanta Braves Tell Matt Kemp to Lose Weight
By Kit Anderson
After a brief honeymoon, the Atlanta Braves have told outfielder Matt Kemp he needs to drop a few pounds.
The Atlanta Braves are in the middle of one of their worst seasons in franchise history. The rebuild has taken a toll on the Braves win total and left them as the worst team in Major League Baseball. This has given them a sense of urgency to improve going into the offseason as they make the move into the new stadium.
These moves include telling Matt Kemp that he needs to get in better shape and lose weight this offseason. Matt Kemp has struggled defensively at times looking slowed and a bit out of shape. This only adds to the reputation that Kemp has gained over the past few seasons.
Since his disappointing seasons as a San Diego Padre, and even his last few months as a Dodger, Kemp gained the reputation of being a bad teammate. Whether or not this is true has been debated on both sides as former teammates have both substantiated these claims and others have defended Kemp. Regardless, the rumors gave Matt Kemp an unwanted reputation coming into Atlanta.
Telling a player that they are in bad shape is rarely taken well. Add in the fact that his weight was brought into the equation and Matt Kemp’s pride may take another hit. The statement on the Braves part is understandable however as they are paying Kemp’s huge salary and are going to expect a lot of production in return. Still, it is curious that they felt the need to disclose such information instead of having the conversation with Kemp behind closed doors.
The Braves publicly talking about Kemp being out of shape may be a bit of leverage on their part to force him to comply with improving. Kemp is the Braves left fielder for the foreseeable future. They need him to be not only in better fielding shape but capable of being the cleanup hitter they so badly need.
How Kemp responds to the Braves request and if getting in better shape could well affect his place with the team next season. If Kemp refuses to comply the Braves may regulate the outfielder to a backup role. Despite his large salary the Braves will focus on one thing next season moving to the new stadium, and that is winning. The Braves will be focused solely on improving this offseason and that means Matt Kemp had better focus on the same or his days as a Braves starting player will be limited.