The Reds have parted ways with Tony Kemp, releasing him from his minor league contract as indicated on his MLB.com profile. Kemp joined Cincinnati in July but wasn’t called up to the major leagues during this time with the team.
After playing for the Athletics from 2020 to 2023, Kemp has been with multiple teams since becoming a free agent last fall. Earlier this year, he signed a minor league deal with the Reds in February but was released during Spring Training.
He then signed a major league contract with the Orioles but was designated for assignment in April, after which he elected free agency and signed a minor league deal with the Twins.
Kemp eventually opted out and returned to the Reds. Despite these moves, Kemp has only appeared in five MLB games this year, all with Baltimore.
This season, the 32-year-old has posted a .262/.350/.406 slash line over 326 Triple-A plate appearances, performing reasonably well but not enough to earn a major league call-up from the Twins or Reds.
With Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate, he hit a more modest .237/.338/.364 in 139 plate appearances. Kemp has mainly played second base and left field in recent years, but he has also seen some time in center and right field at the Triple-A level this year.
Kemp remains eligible for postseason play if he signs with a new team before tomorrow, though his 2024 performance likely makes him a depth option for any playoff contenders.
Still, some teams might be interested in Kemp for extra depth at second base or left field. Additionally, his veteran presence could be valuable in a clubhouse.
Baltimore had signed Kemp to a deal that guaranteed him $1 million, so the Orioles are responsible for most of that salary, while a new team would only need to pay the prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary for any time he spends on an active roster.
