The Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: The Kemp Era Begins

If his introduction to Braves Country is any kind of indicator about what we should expect from him, the Matt Kemp acquisition has a chance to turn into some big.

An  Editorial

A lot of us saw this on twitter yesterday:  Matt Kemp took to the PlayersTribune.com to express his thoughts and reconsider life in the wake of his trade to the Braves on Sunday.

He’s not very satisfied with himself.  He’s realistic.  He’s introspective.  And he’s determined to fix the things that he sees within himself that need to be corrected.

I wonder how many people knew of him as a closet Braves’ fan (Kemp admits that ‘very few people’ knew this) – as was on display in this photo of him as a 10-year-old.  He grew up in Midwest City, Oklahoma and was drafted by the Dodgers in 2003’s 6th round.  He had always been a Dodger… until injuries and other acquisitions started eating away at his playing time.

In the off-season prior to 2015, the Dodgers decided the had enough… and truth be told, they needed room for what was a pile of outfielders, including Joc Pederson.  They were even willing to deal Kemp to division-rival San Diego, which went ‘All In’ that year… and flopped.

It wasn’t that Kemp was a big part of that flop… he OPS’d .755 (a nice number for Braves fans for many reasons), which was second on his club among all those playing at least 90 games… and Kemp played 154 in 2015.  He knocked in 100 runs.  He hit 23 homers – despite Petco park (though it’s now friendlier).

This season has been similar:  he already has 69 RBI and 23 homers with 2 months remaining in the season.

The last times that Braves’ players had 100 RBI?  Justin Upton in 2014, Freddie Freeman in 2013… and not before then until 2007.  Clearly, Atlanta needed that kind of run-production.

So what’s the issue?  Kemp indicates that his attitude was all wrong.  That he was “sidetracked” from the fun of playing baseball.  That a whole bunch of factors contributed to messing up his reputation in the game.

He wants to fix that.  Now.  In Atlanta.

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• Atlanta Braves 2012 Top Prospects Review: Zeke Spruill
• Braves News: Atlanta extends Sean Murphy, pitcher reunions, more

It’s pretty clear that Kemp’s hitting game is still pretty stout.  Even in his worst year, he OPS+’d at 104… 115-125 might be his “norm” now.  Nearly every one of those offensive numbers would either lead the Braves or compete with Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman.

My only question:  Can he handle left field?  His running game was once very good – sealing 40 bases in 2011.  In 2015, that was 12.  In 2016, he has none.  So it’s clear that his legs aren’t as they once were.

It is reasonable to think that the Braves will try to move Nick Markakis this Summer or Winter, freeing space for Mallex Smith and Ender Inciarte.  It may not quite happen like that, but if that pair of runners does end up in the outfield, then Kemp’s range issues are covered.

When this trade came down, I immediately wondered if the Braves might have an idea in mind to flip Kemp to another club.  When I read his letter, I switched to hope that they don’t.

I want to see that new attitude… and yes, I want to see the offense change with his bat in the lineup.  Kemp will be 32 in September, so if his hips and knees can hang in there, his bat might just age well like a Carlos Beltran, Jack Clark, or Jose Bautista.  A bit better average and OBP would make him a force to be reckoned with again.

Next: All About Waiver Trading

Coppy bought himself a big bat – just like he wanted.  But if this letter is any indication, he also bought himself a big man.