Padres rid themselves of Matt Kemp: What does this do for your fantasy team?
The Padres finally found a taker for Matt Kemp’s albatross of a contract (eight years, $160 million). How? They found a team more desperate than them. Oh, and they agreed to pay $10.5 million of Kemp’s remaining contract. Here are the details of the deal:
Olivera, who is currently serving an 82 game suspension for domestic violence, is eligible for reinstatement on Tuesday. The Braves have been trying to move him since his April arrest to no avail. So why in the world would the Padres trade a guy on pace for 36 home runs for someone that a team couldn’t get rid of? It’s all about the attitude.
Kemp has been notorious for not hustling, and generally being a brooding mess this year for the hapless Padres. He is a cancer for a rebuilding team. Atlanta is only a rebuild on the surface. They actually have plenty of veterans on the team. Kemp should fit in much better in Atlanta. Maybe the change of scenery will help.
Kemp is hitting .265 with 23 homers and 69 RBI in spacious Petco Park. The move to Turner Field could help his power output some. Now the bad news: Turner Field might be the worst field in the majors as far as the state of the grass goes. The Braves will be in new digs next year, but Kemp still has to play two months on a horrible field with two arthritic hips. This project could conceivably end before it begins.
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Assuming it doesn’t, Kemp should see an uptick in value just because of the park factor, but you can’t discount player happiness. Kemp should be better off in Atlanta. If he is on waivers in your league, I would add him. What’s the worst that happens? You have to drop him again?
As for Olivera, I will be surprised if he plays an inning for the Padres. They don’t want him any more than the Braves did. This is a NBA-type deal in the purest sense: They are dumping salary. Olivera will likely be cut, and due to the severity of his accusations, could be permanently done in the major leagues.
Considering there are still 12 hours left before the deadline, don’t rule out the possibility of Kemp being moved again. He profiles better for an AL team that could save his body by using him as a DH.
So who is the winner in this deal, you ask? Kemp may be slightly more valuable in fantasy, but the true winners are prospects Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe. With Melvin Upton Jr. also being jettisoned out of town, the outfield is wide open for them.
The 21 year old Margot is hitting .304 with four homers, 38 RBI, and 24 steals for AAA El Paso. If you are in need of steals, he is worth a prospective add. When he gets called up, he will be one of the ten fastest guys in the league. His .284 career minor league batting average means he should be able to at least stay competitive in the majors.
The 24 year old Renfroe is hitting .321 with 25 homers and 87 RBI at AAA El Paso. He is a .283 career hitter in the minors. He clearly has nothing left to prove at AAA, and could immediately help your fantasy team if you need power. He isn’t the all-or-nothing masher that Joey Gallo is. He is a much better hitter, and shouldn’t hurt your average.
Next: How Will Mark Melancon Do In Washington?
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