Matt Kemp

[HiAndTight]

Does anyone think Kemp and Braun on one team would be a good idea? Let alone, Kemp moving Braun to 1B?

 

Clearly I think it would be or I wouldn't have argued it would make our team better.

 

I don't understand why you think it's so obvious it'd be a bad idea in theory(taking out the obstacles that it would take to get him here).

 

Do you really think that from what we know about Kemp, he'd be petty and clash with Braun? And based on Braun's statements, do you believe he would have a problem moving to 1st base?

[CheezWizHed]

Do you really think that from what we know about Kemp, he'd be petty and clash with Braun? And based on Braun's statements, do you believe he would have a problem moving to 1st base?

 

Clearly I do think there would be problems or I wouldn't have brought it up. Kemp called out Braun through the media. No, I don't think they would make good teammates. Especially this year.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I think you can replace PED use with 'playing to get paid' in the case of Matt Kemp - he signed the richest contract in Dodger history (at the time) after his 2011 campaign. He had a monster 2011 because he was healthy and extremely motivated to cash in. his 2012 injury definitely threw a wrench into him being a perennial MVP candidate, but keep in mind human nature probably would lead almost all of us to not be as focused on rehab/getting back on the field when you have 160 million guaranteed reasons waiting for you no matter how great you are anymore.

 

...or he could've been on PEDs during 2011, just like Braun, then saw what happened to Braun and got off the stuff after he got paid...which led to him regaining his status as a talented but often-injured player after the great start he had in 2012.

[HiAndTight]

Do you really think that from what we know about Kemp, he'd be petty and clash with Braun? And based on Braun's statements, do you believe he would have a problem moving to 1st base?

 

Clearly I do think there would be problems or I wouldn't have brought it up. Kemp called out Braun through the media. No, I don't think they would make good teammates. Especially this year.

 

 

Ok, so then what's the justification for Braun having a problem with moving to 1st base if we're going off comments made through the media? Plus, Kemp's comments were hardly scathing. He was "disappointed," and "didn't like being lied to." Meh...they were friends, I'm sure they could patch it up again.

 

I believe he's said he'd do whatever was the best for the team and even joked, "other than playing 3rd because that didn't go so well the 1st time."

 

And if Kent and Bonds can play, I'm sure two people who are as mild mannered(or appear to be, especially Kemp) would do just fine playing together. What could really happen? It's an individual sport. If players don't like each other or resent each other, how often does that even come into play? Is Braun going to give up an AB because Kemp said something? Other than 2nd-SS and P-C, chemistry is insanely overrated.

 

 

Though again, unless some actual dysfunction in their own clubhouse leads to Kemp having to be traded and them eating.....a lot, it's all a moot point anyway.

[CheezWizHed]

I think Braun is a prideful person. Bringing in the guy who told the media that he should be stripped of his MVP is going to cause some tension. Then moving Braun to 1B is another slap to his pride (sorry, but you really can't play OF).

 

Combine the two and I don't think it would go well.

 

Maybe Braun has been humbled by the whole thing.... maybe not.

[Warning Track Power]

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/11229198/matt-kemp-los-angeles-dodgers-open-trade-not-playing-every-day-agent-says

 

Kemp is still owed $107m over 5 years. If the Dodgers were to pay say $40m, meaning the Brewers would be on the hook for 5 years $67m, would you be interested in possibly acquiring Kemp to play RF and move Braun to 1B? This is obviously a move for 2015 and wouldn't occur until the offseason, but would this make the Brewers a better team? I don't have strong feelings either way to be honest but it might be worth looking into in the offseason given the Brewers lack of 1B options.

[logan82]

No. Just no. Braun should never ever be put in a position where he has to use an infielder's glove ever again, ever. Never.

[TigerUppercut]

I don't know how an ankle injury leads you to PEDs, and while too many players have been popped, it's a pretty absurd leap from ankle injury amd playing on the same team with Manny to him being on roids.

 

Kemp played in 399 straight games and then in May 2012 he went down with a "Hamstring injury" at that time he was batting:

.359/.446/.726/ 1.173 12HRs in 34 games 140PAs 118ABs

 

Since then he's accumulated 599 PAs

.276/.328/.436/.764 17HRs and just 16SBs.

 

I just don't like behind the numbers his 2011 season and start to 2012 to me stands out as not the norm. Now he has multiple injuries behind him ankle/hamstring/shoulder joint issue....

 

How is it a good idea to take a guy on being paid to be 2011 who was healthy then who's cressed his prime and should eventually begin his decline? He's not a defensive stalwart. Why can't we go with our own Khris Davis and cheer him on for 525k this year? I'll wager $50 now with anyone Davis hits more HRs than Kemp this year.

 

Great post and highly relevant months later.