The Padres and Braves have agreed that would send outfielder Matt Kemp and cash to Atlanta in exchange for outfielder Hector Olivera, as first reported by Keith Law of ESPN.com Atlanta was first linked to Kemp earlier today, and the deal is pending a physical.
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Olivera was nearing the end of an 82-game suspension stemming from charges he assaulted a woman at a Washington hotel in April. I let a big contract, the Hollywood lifestyle, injuries and bad relationships tarnish the reputation I had worked so hard to establish.
The Braves expect to have Kemp in uniform for Tuesday’s series opener against the Pirates at Turner Field, after an off day in the schedule Monday.
That means, assuming the money is spread out evenly through the next three years, the Braves will pay Kemp about $5 million more per year than they would be paying Olivera. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.
Despite the fact that he suffered arthritis in his hips, Kemp, who is 31, was able to boost the weakest offense during the major leagues.
And now, Kemp is joining the team with the worst record in baseball. The Braves are receiving Matt Kemp as compensation and will also get about $10-12 million from the Padres to cover the rest of his salary. We didn’t trade away any prospects. The 31-year-old Olivera is owed $28.5 million overall through the 2020 season. He has a $4 million salary this year, but lost $1,792,350 because of his suspension.
Kemp, a two-time All-Star, has 228 career homers in parts of 11 major-league seasons.
In 254 games with the Padres, Kemp is hitting.
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The Braves acquired Olivera in July 2015 through a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. Blash was 3-for-25 with 13 strikeouts when the Padres completed a trade with Seattle on May 18 enabling them to option him to Triple-A El Paso.
