Kenley Jansen, closer extraordinaire for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has taken to the campaign trail once again, this time showing support for outfielder Matt Kemp.
On Saturday, Jansen was overheard telling reporters that he was happy to have Kemp back on the squad, and that he was looking forward to seeing him compete for a spot on the club’s 25-man roster when pitchers and catchers report to spring training the middle of next month.
“To have Matt back is awesome,” Jansen said. “I look forward to seeing him in spring training. Whatever happens, happens. That’s a position the front office has to take. But he can help us tremendously. He’s in great shape.”
This isn’t the first time that Kenley has outwardly shown backing for one of his teammates, as the All-World closer reached out to fans last summer in an effort to draw support for third baseman Justin Turner‘s inclusion to the 2017 All-Star Game. And, as it turned out, it most certainly helped.
Furthermore, when it was GM Farhan Zaidi‘s turn to speak, he made it sound that Kemp had a realistic chance of competing for a spot heading into the regular season, despite a gloomy outlook from baseball boss Andrew Friedman not long after the trade went down initially.
According to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, Zaidi said “there have been conversations about Matt Kemp, but with two weeks before spring training he expects Kemp to be a Dodger and compete for plate appearances and playing time in the outfield.”
A few weeks back, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported that Kemp has often been seen working out at Dodger Stadium with other players recently, most specifically Jansen, Cody Bellinger, and unsigned free-agent Chase Utley.
Seemingly, the more time that passes, the better Kemp’s chances improve of showing up to spring camp and battling for a roster spot. When the deal with the Braves was made about a week before Christmas, many believed that Kemp’s reunion with the Dodgers would be short-lived, as the maneuver was executed solely to get the club beneath the luxury tax threshold, and that Kemp would immediately be dealt to an opposing club.
However, whether it’s because there’s absolutely no other team willing to welcome in the 33-year-old veteran, or because the Dodgers are becoming more serious about having him compete for a roster spot, he’s still a member of the Dodgers’ 40-man roster—at least for now.
As the Braves’ primary left fielder last season, Kemp slashed .276/.318/.463 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI over 115 games. In 2016 for the Padres and Braves combined, he hit .268/.304/499 with 35 long balls and 108 RBI in 156 games. Kemp’s benchmark year came in 2010 for the Dodgers when he finished as the runner-up to NL MVP Ryan Braun, after he hit .324/.399/.586 with 39 homers, 40 stolen bases and 126 RBI.
Kemp was originally chosen by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft out of Midwest City High School in Oklahoma. He stayed in Los Angeles through the 2014 season, until he was traded to the Padres along with catcher Tim Federowicz for Yasmani Grandal, Zach Eflin and Joe Wieland. Before the non-waiver trade deadline in 2016, the Padres sent Kemp to the Braves in exchange for Hector Olivera.
For the Dodgers, pitchers and catchers are slated to report to Camelback Ranch on February 13, while all other players are scheduled to report the following day.
Maybe the F.O. has seen something they like in Kemp’s workouts at the Stadium. Or maybe this is just Farhan trying to create a market for him. I’m kind of hoping he gets his chance in Glendale since they certainly won’t get anything worthwhile for him if they move him in a trade. I remember when Kenley came to L.A. he hardly spoke at all. Today at Fan Fest, speaking about the slow free agent market, he said that maybe the player’s need to go on strike. I’m thinking Andrew preferred the quiet Kenley.
I don’t think Friedman cares too much what Kenley says, as long as he continues to put up the video game types of numbers. I do think, though, that Friedman wishes that Farhan keep his mouth closed more often.
Well, you’re certainly correct in saying that as long as Kenley pitches the way he has he can say pretty much anything he wants to. He really has become a leader in that clubhouse.
Do you ever get out to AZ for spring training Dennis?
Never been to Camelback—my schedule is a bear, especially this time of year.
Sorry to hear that. My son dragged me to Glendale the second year it was open and I was hooked. We usually spend one weekend there in March and it’s grown so much that there are now about 8-10 of us who meet out there every spring. Put it on your bucket list. It’s well worth it if you’re a real ball fan which I know you are.
Definitely gonna happen one of these years.
My wife and I were supposed to go to ST last year, for the first time, for our anniversary, but she had to have hip surgery instead. This year same surgery, other hip, maybe next year. It’s definitely something on our list of things to do if we can make it next year Jeff, I will have to get some pointers from you.
I really hope you can make it next year Keith. As I was remarking to Dennis, it’s something any big baseball fan should make sure to do at least once, and the Dodger/White Sox complex at Glendale is amazing. After waiting all winter for baseball to start again it’s a great feeling to mingle with everyone and watch not only the major leaguers but also have a chance to see the minor leaguers work out on the back fields. One tip to remember – get seats in the shade! It gets hot out there and there aren’t nearly enough shady areas. That pretty much holds true for all the stadiums in AZ.
Hey Jeff… If you want to put together a column containing any thoughts or insight you gathered during your trip to Glendale, by all means give me a shout.
Thanks Dennis. Plan to be there March 17-18. If I come back with anything worth talking about I’ll let you know when I return. Too much pressure if I commit to a column before I even get there. 🙂