Kemp has been traded from San Deigo to Atlanta for Hector Olivera and cash considerations. Kemp will be paid $14.5 million by the Braves, $4M by San Diego and $3.5M by the Dodgers, who sent money over in their 2014 trade with the Padres.
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The Padres owe Kemp about $7.5 million this season and $21.5 million per year through 2019. The Cuban defector was acquired by Atlanta a year ago in a trade that sent LHP Alex Wood and then-top prospect Jose Peraza to the Dodgers. 211 (4-for-19) in six games for Atlanta this season. Olivera is still owed $28.5 million, though his deal will be voided if he goes to prison.
Kemp’s power numbers are impressive this season with 23 home runs and 69 RBIs.
Now suspended for 82 games under Major League Baseball’s Domestic Violence program, Olivera is eligible to return on August 1, but the Padres have chosen to forgo that possibility and designate him. It all depends on what the Braves need to give up to bring in Kemp. 285 on-base percentage is the lowest of his 11-year career.
The general manager of Braves, John Coppolella said Kemp did not intend to finish with the worst record. 245 with five doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI.
He isn’t even close to being the player he was when he won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in 2009 and again in 2011 while manning center field for the Dodgers. 324 and led the National League in homers (39) and RBIs (126) and finished second in the NL MVP balloting behind Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun. The Padres are considering DFA’ing Olivera.
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This trade made financial sense with both teams trying to shed expensive contracts of players no longer fitting long-term plans.
